It is almost impossible for any soccer fan born in the past two decades to envision European Football Competitions predating the Champions League.

Today’s fan has been accustomed to a steady diet of the Top teams on the continent battling it out week in and week out for virtually the entire year.

The Champions League, in its current format, is an unstoppable money-spinning machine.

Despite its Olympian heights of today, many older fans still bemoan the not too recent past, where European Competition was a bonus to be savored.

They miss the Magical Nights when playing in midweek European matches was a special event that brought with it a special atmosphere and frenzy.

Fans of more modest teams might be nostalgic of the days when their small team was drawn against one of the bigger teams and this gave them the opportunity to witness some of the Legends of the game on their home soil.

Today’s young fan is probably unaware of terms such as the ‘UEFA Cup’, the ‘Fairs Cup’ or much less the ‘Cup Winners Cup’.

Photo From: World Soccer, March 1993

(The Champions Cup, Cup Winners Cup and UEFA Cup)

In a world before Social Media and Cable Television, these European Competitions would revolutionize the game and change the landscape of Football forever.

To get a full appreciation of this phenomenon one must go back to its early beginnings.

Many have traced the roots of these competitions to the 'Mitropa Cup'. This was a competition that started in the 1920s and featured Central European clubs.

By the 1950s, the World Cup was already established as the Premier Tournament of World Football. However an equivalent Tournament for European clubs was still non-existent.

The main contact between clubs from different Nations was restricted to mostly friendly exhibition matches.

It is difficult to imagine that the spark that gave rise to all of this was due to a simple friendly match between two clubs.

The Friendly match in question was between English club Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hungary’s Honved Budapest (featuring Ferenc Puskas and Sandor Koscis among others) on December 13, 1954, that Wolves 3 to 2.

The English Press hyped the victory by declaring Wolves as the best team in Europe.

This led Former French International and now journalist Gabriel Hanot writing in ‘L’Equipe’ to propose the idea of a European Cup where champions from each country would compete and thus the Champions Cup was created.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Gabriel Hanot)

Many teams and players would become legends of the game because of their success in these Continental Competitions in the ensuing decades.

This was also the era where the Television age came to prominence further highlighting the exploits.

Starting the Fall of 1955, the Champions Cup was created, whereby League Champions from the various European Nations faced one another in a knock-out elimination series (home and away).

Real Madrid were the primary beneficiaries of this new Competition and cemented their legendary status (to date) after winning the first five competitions.

Alfredo Di Stefano became a legend of the game primarily because of Real Madrid’s domination, as did others in the team such as Francisco Gento.

Photo From: Miroir du Football , Issue 21, September 1961

(Alfredo Di Stefano)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 30, July 1991

(Alfredo Di Stefano)

It is worth noting that Chelsea, the English League Champions in 1955, had snubbed the Inaugural Champions Cup due to the urgings of the English FA.

Manchester United would ignore this request and create their own legend in this new competition.

At first, they faced tragedy as Munich Air Disaster on February 6, 1958, took the lives of many players (as the team was returning from a Champions Cup match in Belgrade).

An undeterred Manchester United, under the guidance of Matt Busby, and Bobby Charlton (one of the survivors) would claw their way back and themselves earned their iconic status by becoming the First English club to win the Champions Cup in 1968 (ten years after the Munich Tragedy).

Photo From: World Soccer, May 1997

(Nobby Stiles, May 29, 1968, Champions Cup, Manchester United 4-Benfica 1)

Benfica put Portuguese Football on the map for its successes and also helped to introduce Eusebio to the continental public.

Dynasties were built on the strength of success in Europe.

Photo from: World Soccer, August 1963

(Eusebio on the cover of World Soccer Magazine with Giovanni Trapattoni, May 22, 1963, Champions Cup, AC Milan 2-Benfica 1)

Internazionale Milano owes its status to its victories (despite the negative Catenaccio) in the Champions Cup of 1964 and 1965. This is how they became ‘Grande Inter’.

Giacinto Facchetti and many others such as their Spanish star Luis Suarez’s memories are tied to these victories.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, April 120-27, 1983

(Internazionale Milano squad 1964/65)

These victories even made Legends of Managers such as Inter Manager Helenio Herrera and his counter part at AC Milan, Nereo Rocco, not to mention Bela Guttmann at Benfica.

Ajax Amsterdam and Bayern Munich’s successes in the 70s also marked their era in history.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(1960s AC Milan Manager Nereo Rocco and Internazionale’s Helenio Herrera)

Ajax’s Johann Cruyff was launched on the International scene due to Ajax’s victories.

These European Competitions also enabled the entire continent to witness the birth of new tactical movements.

In terms of Inter’s Catenaccio it was negative, but in the case of Ajax and Bayern Munich it was ‘Total Football’ that captivated the continent in a positive way to signal a rebirth.

Photo From: LIBRO DEL FUTBOL, Fasciculo 12, 1974

(Johann Cruyff)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer

(Ajax Amsterdam squad, Top, left to right: Barry Hulshoff, Heinz Stuy, Wim Suurbier, Gerrie Muhren, Dick van Dijk, , Bottom, left to right: Piet Keizer, Sjaak Swart, Nico Rijnders, Velibor Vasovic, Johann Cruyff, Johann Neeskens , June 2, 1971, Champions Cup, Ajax Amsterdam 2-Panathinaikos 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1995
(May 17, 1974, Champions Cup, Bayern Munich 4-Atletico Madrid 0)

Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan is also not only remembered for its victories but for signaling a new tactical innovation in introducing a pressing attacking style that is remembered to this day.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 26, March 1991

(Arrigo Sacchi)

After a few years it was obvious that these competitions were just too attractive (and lucrative) to be just restricted to League Champions.

The ‘Inter-Cities Fairs Cup’ was established in the 1950s as well. This was a competition where clubs were invited from cities holding trade fairs. This morphed into the current ‘UEFA Cup’ at the start of (1971/72) season, whereby the top finishers in their respective Leagues qualified.

Starting 1960, the domestic Cup winners also got their own competition, the ‘Cup Winners Cup’. This competition would always stand out as the weakest of the three, but was a nevertheless an extra source of competition and revenue for clubs.

It was not only the winners that have benefited from these competitions.

Even teams that failed to win trophies lived in the Public’s memory because of these competitions.

French club Stade de Reims is remembered for the early days of this competition in the 50s, when they reached the Final twice (both times losing to Real Madrid).

Another French Club Saint Etienne won the hearts of the French through its European Cup Adventures during the period of 1974-1977.

Another less fashionable French Club Bastia is remembered for its UEFA Cup adventure during the (1977/78) season where they reached the Final (losing to PSV Eindhoven).

Many fans remember Scottish side Dundee United’s UEFA Cup adventure of 1987 where they reached the Final by eliminating the likes of Barcelona and Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 29, May 1978

(Bastia squad, 1977/78)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 640 (Number 18), April 29-May 5, 1987

(Dundee United squad, 1986/87)

Hungarian side Videoton had its moment of glory by reaching the Final of the 1985 UEFA Cup succumbing only to Real Madrid.

Swedish club Malmo is remembered for reaching the Champions Cup Final in 1979.

In the not too distant past, small Spanish club Alaves reached the UEFA Cup final in 2001.

The European Competitions coincided with the advent of France Football’s ‘Ballon d’Or’ award and many players owed their award due to their performances in Europe. These include Alfredo Di Stefano, George Best, Gianni Rivera, Johann Cruyff, Oleg Blokhin and Allan Simonsen just to name a few.

Lesser-known players are also remembered for their exploits in Europe. In France, Paris St. Germain’s Antoine Kombouare is largely remembered for his last minute header that eliminated Real Madrid from the UEFA Cup in 1993.

1970s Liverpool player David Fairclough is remembered as a super-sub after many efficient match winning appearances after coming on as a substitute during Liverpool’s European matches in the 1970s.

The Algerian Rabah Madjer will always be remembered for his back heel goal for Porto against Bayern Munich in 1987.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2450, March 23, 1993

(Antoine Kombouare after scoring, March 18, 1993, UEFA Cup, Paris Saint-Germain 4-Real Madrid 1)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 138, June 1987

(Rabah Madjer scoring with a backheel, May 27, 1987, Champions Cup, Porto 2-Bayern Munich 1)

In time, the Competitions would also expose some of the rising African talent to the continent. Players such as Salif Keita, Abedi Pele and George Weah would be introduced to a larger audience via their performances in European competitions.

The early Home and away format of the competition made the matches more exciting as teams would go all out to achieve results. This also led to remarkable comeback stories of overturning deficits.

Many remember small French club FC Metz overturning a (2-4) deficit to eliminate the mighty Barcelona at Camp Nou in 1984.

Photo From: Onze, Hors serie 23, 1985

(Metz’s Toni Kurbos, who scored a hat trick in this match vs. Barcelona, October 3, 1984, Cup Winners Cup, Barcelona 1-Metz 4)

In 1996, a struggling Bordeaux side eliminated AC Milan (3-0), overturning a (0-2) deficit. This match-up launched Zinedine Zidane on the European stage.

West German Club Bayer Leverkusen overcame a (0-3) deficit against Spanish club RCD Espanol to level the match (3-0) and win on a penalty kick shoot-out in the Second Leg Final of the 1988 UEFA Cup.

English club Queens Park Rangers had appeared to have all but settled the tie after defeating Yugoslavia’s Partizan Belgrade (6-2) in the (1984/85) UEFA Cup, but Partizan stormed back to win (4-0) in the return leg and qualify with the away goals rule.

Real Madrid in the 1980s made a specialty of overturning seemingly lost deficits to further highlight the importance of a home crowd atmosphere to galvanize teams.

In just a few years, the European Competitions had been so successful, that many players would pick their future destinations based upon the prospect of playing in Europe for the upcoming season. Playing under the ‘lights’ in Europe in midweek had become an ambition that players strived for.

European Qualification was in some cases the minimum objective set by the owners when hiring Managers. Many Managers were sacked for “failing to qualify for Europe.”

The barometer to measure a team’s true worth would be based upon their success in Europe.

This was also extended to certain players. Some players would be criticized for being good at the domestic club level, but ‘too fragile’ for the tough away European battles in far off places.

The majority of European matches were battles (physically and mentally). Certain atmospheres at away matches would freeze certain teams and players.

These early decades were during the height of the ‘Cold war’ and European encounters between East and West were at times used as Propaganda tools to incite the fans.

In fact at times these were the only opportunities that some teams from East and West would actually have any contact.

This was not only important in a cultural sense, but the teams would be exposed to foreign styles of play that would have bearing on the evolution of tactics.

In those days, even the best Western European teams could never take for granted any tie in Eastern Europe.

There were trepidations about visits to Belgrade to face Red Star or Sofia to face CSKA, not to mention a trip to Kiev to take on Dinamo Kiev.

It was not just the difficult opponents that the top teams took no delight from, but it was also trips to unfancied venues such as small stadiums in Cyprus and Luxembourg.

After retirement, Michel Platini would often lament the then current format of the Champions League by pointing out that someone of his caliber had to play in places like Luxembourg and Malta, but that was no longer the case and unfair to smaller nations.

It is hard to imagine Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having ever played in venues in Cyprus or Faroe Islands.

The European Competitions also exposed England’s growing fan violence onto the rest of the continent. The problems started in the 70s with and ended with the Tragedy of Heysel in 1985. This led to the ban of English Teams for five years.

These five years were detrimental for English teams as not only were they punished financially, but also were cut off from exposure to other playing styles/Football cultures, etc.

It would take some time for some of the English teams to have an impact in Europe.

Success in the Champions Cup was also a motivator in the rise of ambitions Club Presidents. Olympique Marseille’s Bernard Tapie took over Marseille with the intent of winning the Champions Cup. He would call it the Cup with ‘Big Ears’. Vast sums of money on players would be spent to achieve this goal and many memorable ‘European Nights’ would follow.

By the mid-to-late 1980s many questions were already being raised about the uncertain nature of the competitions due to its home and away elimination format.

Some of the best teams could potentially be eliminated after only one round.

Given the sums invested many clubs felt more revenue could be generated with more matches.

The first step in ‘protecting’ the bigger clubs was seeding the top teams in the first round of the (1989/90) edition of the Champions Cup.

However, this was not enough to quench the ambitions of the bigger clubs who were eyeing an even more financially satisfying system.

AC Milan President Silvio Berlusconi was one of the vocal proponents of a Champions Cup to be played in a League format.

The idea would take hold and eventually give rise to a mini-League format for the (1991/92) edition of the Champions Cup.

This consisted of two early rounds (knockout home and away series) just like before. Afterwards the surviving eight teams would be placed in two groups and would play one another in a round robin format. This guaranteed an extra three home matches and extra revenue. Afterwards only the winners of these Groups would play one another in the Final.

In the next season (1992/93), the competition would be officially named the ‘Champions League’ with its won logo and ultimately even its pre-match music.

Photo From: World Soccer, March 1993

(The Champions League Logo, 1992/93)

The next edition (1993/94) would feature one more twist. The Group winners would face the opposing Group’s runner-ups for an extra semifinal round.

The next season (1994/95), the competition would be reformatted. The two first rounds would be eliminated and the competition would start with Group phases.

After a preliminary round, the 16 teams would be placed in four groups of four teams, followed by the springtime quarterfinals and onwards.

This system stayed in place until the (1997/98) season where a new modification was put in place that essentially was the biggest break from tradition. Starting that edition, League Runner-ups were also now invited to the Champions League.

This new expanded Champions League would now consist of a first round Group phase of six groups of four with the top teams and two of the best runner-ups qualifying.

In 1999, Manchester United became the first League runner-up from a previous season to triumph in the Champions League.

In that Fall of 1999, the Champions League was once again reformatted and resembled closer to what the early proponents had envisioned.

From that season (1999/2000) not only the runner-ups were invited but even third and fourth place finishers (the number of participants varied from Nation to Nation according to different factors).

This necessitated two Group phases (First phase of 8 groups and the second phase of 4 groups) followed by the quarterfinals, Semis and the Final.

The two teams that reached the Final would have played 17 matches during the season. This was virtually half of a regular domestic League campaign.

Meanwhile the gradual expansions had weakened the two other Competitions. The ‘Cup Winners Cup’ was altogether scrapped in 1999. The ‘UEFA Cup’ lingered on but it was not as highly rated, as before as now the Champions League was the most enticing prospect of any club.

This Champions League was now restricted to Europe’s elite and teams from ‘smaller’ nations were locked out.

This new format of the Champions League stayed in place until 2003. As teams felt two group phases was overkill and detrimental to the physical fitness of the players. It was decided to scrap the second Group phase, to be replaced with an extra round of Home and Away series for the Final 16.

This system has largely remained in place since and appears to be the long-term ‘permanent’ format.

At the same time the weakening UEFA Cup, tried to rebrand itself by calling itself the ‘Europa League’ in 2008. However, it was viewed as just that, a name change, the quality was still draining and dwarfed by the Champions League.

The ‘Europa League’ has slowly devolved into a state of insignificance. Whereas, decades ago a Manchester United-Ajax matchup would have been enticing, by this year (2017) it was viewed with disinterest.

The Champions League may have strengthened the top leagues, however, it has had a negative effect on some of the other mid-level Leagues.

The ‘Bosman Ruling’ in 1996 strengthened the Top teams competing in the Champions League and they started buying in larger quantities further weakening these mid-level Leagues.

Photo From: Goal, Issue 16, January 1997

(Jean-Marc Bosman)

Once upon a time, Anderlecht, Celtic Glasgow, Ajax and Benfica could not only compete with the teams from the top leagues but could actually from time to time win trophies on the continental level.

This has become nearly impossible in the Champions League of the post-Bosman era.

Once teams like Ajax could build teams and nurture players until they were ready to be sold once they were the finished article.

But nowadays, the young prospects get largely bypassed at this level as the top teams are buying them at a younger age.

A team like PSV Eindhoven could buy efficiently over a number of years and build a team good enough to win the Champions Cup (1988).

Photo From: Mondial, new series, Issue 106, January 1989

(PSV Eindhoven squad, Top, left to right: Hans van Breukelen, Wim Kieft, Hans Gillhaus, Jan Heintze, Ivan Nielsen, Edward Linskens, Soren Lerby, Ronald Koeman, Gerald Vanenburg, Berry van Aerle, Eric Gerets , May 25, 1988, Champions Cup, PSV Eindhoven 0-Benfica 0)

Ajax’s victory in the 1995 Champions League was a rare event for its day, but today it would be virtually impossible to build a relatively homegrown team to triumph in Europe.

Similarly, a modest team like Nottingham Forest would not be able to build a team and win two Champions Cup as it once did, nor the likes of Aston Villa (1982 Champions Cup), Aberdeen (Cup Winners Cup 1983) and East Germany’s Magdeburg (Cup Winners Cup 1974).

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 77, June 1995

(May 24, 1995, Champions League, Ajax Amsterdam 1-AC Milan 0)

There was a time that ‘Cup Winners Cup’ and the ‘UEFA Cup’ were seen as beneficial tournaments. Not only in generating revenue, but at times they acted as a stepping stone for teams to later compete in the Champions Cup.

Liverpool and Borussia Moenchengladbach had their dry runs in the early to mid 1970s in the UEFA Cup before facing one another in the 1977 Final of the Champions Cup.

Former 1980s Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson actually felt that facing teams in the UEFA Cup was sometimes more difficult as the teams in the UEFA Cup were on their growing phase and stronger and by the time they reached the Champions Cup, they were already on the downward scale.

Barcelona and Sampdoria faced one another in the 1989 Final of the Cup Winners Cup before facing each other in the Final of the Champions Cup in 1992.

Manchester United built up on its 1991 Cup Winners Cup success to claw its way to the European elite.

The Champions Cup and now the Champions League have impacted the game like no other club competition in history.

The strength of the competition has created a small elite of clubs that can afford to spend vast sums of money to build super teams to have a tilt at this prestigious award.

Surprises are far and few in between as the same teams have any realistic chance of winning. Every few seasons, a team outside of this elite confounds the critics and does surprisingly well (ex. Porto, Monaco 2004, PSV Eindhoven 2005), however, at the offseason all their precious assets are sold off to the highest bidders and they are back to square one and back to rebuilding.

Much has changed in this competition in sixty years. New generations of fans have grown up watching men enter the field holding a child’s hand and listening to the Champions League Music prior to kickoffs.

They have witnessed Football at the top level involving the best of the best.

However, these fans perhaps have never experienced the frenzied atmospheres of the European Nights of the not too distant past.

Experiencing exciting overturning deficits are much rare nowadays as the bulk of the competition takes place in the Group phase.

Barcelona’s ‘Remontada’ against Paris St. Germain this past season was an anomaly.

Fans do not get to wait in anticipation for the month of March when the Euro competitions would resume at the Quarterfinal phase.

These days, European Competition starts a month sooner due to fixture congestion.

In another break with Tradition, the Final (since 2010) has been switched from the midweek to Saturday to accommodate younger fans.

While, it is natural to be nostalgic of the Football of one’s youth, nevertheless, one must accept that the game evolves through the decades and perhaps today’s younger fans in two decades will look back at these days as ‘the best era ever.’

The third and final part of the podcast interview with Dean Lockyer, the author of
http://worldcup1930project.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WC1930blogger

This is part three of a three part interview, where we discuss the stories surrounding the 1930 World Cup.

Photo From: Гольдес И.- История чемпионатов мира 1930-1962+

(Uruguay’s Wordl Cup winning squad)

Spoiler Alert: I assume most people have already seen these films; as a result I discuss the plot as much as I can. I will not try to go into every detail but generalize as much as possible.

Film: Mean Machine (2001)

In the beginning of ‘Mean Machine’ we see Danny ‘Mean Machine’ Meehan in an ‘Umbro’ Commercial in a spoof of a James Bond like character.

We then see the slightly aged Danny Meehan sitting in a room full of Football Memorabilia from his playing days in a drunken stupor watching the commercial with liquor in his hand with self-loathing.

‘Mean Machine’ is the British remake of the 1974 Hollywood film ‘The Longest Yard.’ In that film, Burt Reynolds portrayed a former NFL star who is sent to prison after a run-in with the law.

This UK version (2001) was produced by Guy Ritchie, shortly after his successful films ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘Snatch’. In fact many of the actors who appeared in these two films appeared in this one.

One of those actors, Vinnie Jones, the former Football star and Wimbledon Hard-Man, portrays Meehan (a former English International and Captain) who is sent to Prison after giving chase to two police officers while driving drunk as well as getting into a physical confrontation with the same police officers.

This assault leads him to be sentenced to three years in Prison (to be spent at the ‘Longmarsh’ High Security Prison).

While he is being transported to Prison, we hear Radio broadcasts revealing that his career had derailed some time before after his involvement in a match fixing scandal.

Upon his arrival at Longmarsh, we are introduced to Ratchett (played by Geoff Bell, another Guy Ritchie collaborator, recently seen in ‘King Arthur’). Ratchett is the archetypal sadistic Prison Guard who takes pleasure in treating the inmates in a demeaning way.

We are then introduced to the Prison Chief Burton (played by Ralph Brown). He is a stern no nonsense man, who immediately lays down the law to Meehan.

In addition, he informs him that Meehan is about offered the Managership of the Prison Football Team from the Prison Governor and that he should refuse this offer (as he himself is the current Manager of the Team).

He is then sent on his way to his cell, where we meet his cellmates Trojan (played by Robbie Gee) and Raj (played by Comedian of Iranian Origin, Omid Djalili).

Next we see Meehan with an old mild-mannered prisoner called Doc (played by David Kelly, famous from ‘Waking Ned Devine’) for his Prison work detail and the pair quickly establish a friendship.

Doc is the elder statesman of the Prisoners who has a lot of wise advice for Meehan and appears to be the sanest person in the Prison.

He is then taken to see Charlie Sykes (played by John Forgeham). Sykes is the de-facto head boss of the Prisoners. He is a well-known gangster and runs Drugs and Gambling operations within the prison. His two lieutenants are the brawny ‘Kat’ (played by Andrew Grainger) and the Scottish ‘Chiv’ (played by Jamie Sives, who is a fine Football player, we shall get to that…)

Sykes signals his antagonism to Meehan by informing that he once lost a lot of money betting in an England-Germany match. It is alluded that this was the match that Meehan gave away a penalty kick (the fixed match in question).

The scenery changes to the Prison Mess Hall, where we are introduced to new characters. A young prisoner named Nitro (played by Stephen Walters) immediately offers his services to Meehan. Nitro appears to be mentally unstable and prone to outbursts. In one such outburst, he reveals that he is in Prison for series of bombings.

Afterwards, another Prisoner named ‘Massive’ (played by Vas Blackwood) befriends Meehan and will also be along with Doc, Meehan’s closest friend in the Prison.

We are then introduced to a new character, ‘Broadhurst Monk’. He is held in solitary and isolation from the rest of the prisoners and held in handcuffs in his cell. We are told that he is very dangerous and completely unpredictable and has killed as many as 23 men.

He is played by none other than action star Jason Statham, who was on the verge of Hollywood stardom (another Guy Ritchie connection).

Finally, Meehan is led to his meeting with the Governor of the Prison. He is played by David Hemmings (famous from starring in Michelangelo Antonioni’s ‘Blow-Up’).

The Governor formally offers him the post of Manager of his Amateur Prison Guards Team. He is eyeing promotion from the Southern Division (Semi pros) and sees Meehan as the ideal man for that aim.

However, Meehan refuses saying he has not played for many years and is out of condition (not to mention he had been warned by Chief Burton (Captain/Manager of the Prison Guards Team)).

The mutual dislike of the Governor and Chief Burton is also revealed as he berates the latter for the lack of results by reminding him that he has spent a lot of money on the team with nothing to show for.

We are also introduced to Tracey, a female secretary working in the Prison, (played by Sally Phillips...we shall get to later) (Note: Bernadette Peters played this role in the 1974 Original).

Later, Meehan is involved in a fight in the Mess Hall that eventually engulfs the entire room and is thrown into solitary confinement.

It is then implied that the Governor had engineered the fight. This way he now held leverage over Meehan with the parole board, as this incident would hinder any chance of early a parole.

It is at this point that ‘Massive’ suggests of a way out of the predicament. His idea is for a match between the Guards and the Inmates with Meehan as the Captain of the Prisoners.

Meehan proposes the idea to the Governor and Chief Burton with two conditions: 1) Meehan himself has to pick his team, 2) ‘What goes on the pitch stays on the pitch’.

The match is quickly promoted as ‘Cons vs. Guards’.

At various stages during the film, we see that the Governor has large gambling debts to criminal elements. It is also revealed that he received most of his gambling tips through Sykes. The Governor is all too eager for this match, as he may be able to purge his gambling debts.

The tryouts start with Meehan in charge and ‘Massive’ acting as Manager.

Needless to say most of the prisoners willing to participate are out of shape. ‘Chiv’, from Sykes’ group appears talented, but Meehan is told that Sykes would never authorize the involvement of anyone from his crew.

At this point, Nitro is angling a way to leave the prison to go to a minimum-security prison. He offers his services to Ratchett to act as an informant.

Some time later, Ratchett and other prison guards savagely beat ‘Massive’, while most prisoners just stand by watching. Meehan is the only one to try to stop the beating and gets beaten in the process and is thrown in solitary again.

An unseen prisoner sneaks in a small ball in his solitary cell and we see Meehan starting training with upbeat music suggesting that he is getting his groove and sense of purpose back.

In a scene reminiscent of Steve McQueen in ‘The Great Escape’, we see Meehan bounce the ball at the wall while sitting and catching the rebound with his hand.

Upon his release, he has earned the respect of the majority of prisoners for trying to defend ‘Massive’ against the guards.

Only Sykes’ crew is still hostile to Meehan. The trainings resume with Meehan more determined than ever.

Against the wishes of ‘Massive’, Meehan includes in his squad, ‘Billy the limpet’ (played by Danny Dyer). He is a dim-witted prisoner, and generally acts as comic relief.

Meehan and Billy the Limpet

Nitro enters the fray to endear himself to Ratchett. He tips off the guards on one of Sykes’ Drug Operations within the prison and then lies to ‘Kat’ by laying the blame on Meehan.

Later that day ‘Chiv’ and ‘Kat’ ambush Meehan in the shower. ‘Chiv’ is about to stab him in the eye, when Meehan overpowers them. At this time, Chief Burton and guards enter the showers. Meehan quickly covers the knife with his towel thereby saving ‘Chiv’ from further trouble.

This act earns their respect and ‘Chiv’ is eager to join the team but needs Meehan to ask permission from Sykes. Meehan formally asks Sykes for the involvement of his lads. As an inducement, Meehan suggests that Sykes can bet on the result.

Sykes agrees but his condition is that Meehan has to fight one of his guys, which turns out to be ‘Kat’.

The fight in question involves the two men to be sitting down and lock their hands in an arm wrestling position. They then take turns in punching the other followed by a shot of cognac.

After taking a heavy beating Meehan finally gets the upper hand and wins and gets Sykes’ boys in his squad.

In the team Meehan will take the center Midfield position. The position of goalkeeper is vacant. ‘Chiv’ suggests the inclusion of Monk (Jason Statham). Despite his status as a dangerous inmate, Sykes is able to pull strings and have him join the squad.

The respective teams step up their preparations. The Guards (with Burton in charge) appear orderly and professional like, while Meehan’s crew is still adjusting.

To further place pressure (and threat) on Meehan, Sykes informs that he has bet on them to win.

Meehan is able to analyze the opposition tactics by getting hold of videos of Guards recent games from Tracey, the female secretary, and the pair engage in a ‘quickie’.

This is followed by a strategy meeting in Sykes’ cell, whereby Meehan is finally asked and reveals the reasons for being involved in match fixing (fame too soon, gambling debts, etc..)

Ratchett has a plan to remove Meehan from the squad, by assigning Nitro to place a bomb in Meehan’s locker.

However, the Locker is opened by Doc and not the intended target Meehan and Doc gets killed.

For this Nitro gets transferred to a Prison that is more of a mental asylum.

Onto the matchday and we hear clichéd pep talks from the respective sides’ managers (Burton and Meehan).

The radio commentary for the Prisoners is done by two inmates (played by Jake Abraham and Jason Flemyng (another Guy Ritchie connection)).

The pair report on the match in a humorous way with much banter.

The Prisoners squad is called ‘Mean Machine’, wearing Black shirts while the Guards wear Red/white Horizontal striped shirts.

Needless to say, there is a lot of kicking and foul play as each side tries to intimidate the other.

In a funny exchange, Meehan takes two free kicks in succession directed at Ratchett’s crotch.

Chances go begging from each side, as neither side is able to make a breakthrough.

There is a running gag of Monk coming out of his line and putting his team in danger (along with Monk imagining in black and white committing violent acts on the guards), but all his teammates are afraid of telling him to do otherwise.

Finally the Prisoners take the lead as Meehan volleys in the opener. Shortly afterwards Ratchett instigates a general fight that involves everyone. The halftime whistle ends this and the teams go to their locker rooms.

The Governor, having bet on the Guards, senses defeat and worse (given his gambling debts). He enters the Guards locker room and threatens the entire squad with their jobs.

He then has a private meeting with Meehan, instructing him to throw the game. He blackmails Meehan by claiming that he has a written confession from Nitro, which specifies that it was Meehan who had sent Doc to his locker to have him killed.

This could potentially get him up to 20 years.

A distraught Meehan goes back onto the field but he is out of sorts and makes virtually no effort. The Prisoners are handicapped further when Raj gets sent off, leaving them one man short. Despite this, The Cons manage to score a second goal.

It is at this point that Monk’s antics cost the team. He tries to dribble his way out of his box (a la Rene Higuita) and gets dispossessed and the guards pull one goal back.

Meehan feigns and injury to get off, much to the dismay of ‘Massive’ who senses the obvious.

Afterwards Ratchett scores a goal to level the match at (2-2). Slowly Meehan’s pride and anger takes over and gets back on the field determined to win.

Despite the initial mistrust of his own teammates, he starts to make inroads and wins balls and creates chances.

It all seems for naught as the Guards are awarded a free kick in the last minute. Monk heroically saves the effort and in the ensuing counterattack Meehan races part everyone and is alone with the open goal at his mercy. After some moment of close-ups on the protagonists, he does not score and instead lays a pass across for ‘Billy the Limpet’ to score the winner with the last kick of the match.

At the end of the match, the Governor threatens Meehan but Burton steps in and fights back with the Governor. Burton honorably congratulates Meehan for a good game.

Meehan walks away smiling and celebrating with ‘Massive’, with his pride intact.

This film was essentially a vehicle for former Professional Vinnie Jones, who had recently turned to acting.

Ironically Jones plays a fairly level headed character, which was in contrast to his fiery and controversial character of his playing days.

In addition, Vinnie Jones’ character is an English National team player, whereas in reality Jones was a prospective Irish National Team player who earned International caps for Wales.

‘Mean machine’ is fairly predictable, irrespective of whether anyone has seen the original ‘The Longest Yard’. It follows the general narrative of a fallen hero earning redemption to claw his way back to respectability. Although, it is not necessarily a comedy, it does have a lighter tone.

Note:

1-A remake of the Original ‘The Longest Yard’ was also made in 2005 starring Adam Sandler in the Burt Reynolds role.

-FIFA’s French President Jules Rimet was the driving force for France becoming the 1938 World Cup hosts.

Initially there were some doubts within FIFA’s hierarchy whether France was capable of hosting the event.

FIFA wanted Rimet to guarantee the same successful conditions as the previous hosts Uruguay and Italy.

He seemed hesitant and suggested to co-host along with Belgium and Holland. FIFA members refused this idea.

However, after he received guarantees that the attendance of Stade Colombes would be increased to 65,000, Rimet guaranteed France’s commitment to host.

Jules Rimet had wanted to have the World Cup in France to follow the World Fair at Paris of 1937.

The ‘International Exposition of Art and Technology in Modern Life’ was to be held from May 25^th, 1937 to November 25^th, 1937.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 55, August 1993

(Official World Cup poster)

Rimet believed having the two events in close proximity would fill up the stadiums.

In some sources it is alleged that Rimet was pushing for the World Cup to be held in 1937 to achieve this goal.

The consensus among the FIFA members appeared to be that as a token of appreciation for Rimet’s service, they should endorse his proposal.

On August 13 (or 15), 1936, during the Berlin Olympics, FIFA members gathered at the Kroll Opera to decide the venue for the next World Cup. Although FIFA had 51 affiliated members, only 23 members voted.

The French Delegation plead its case by reminding all of the efforts of Henri Delaunay and Jules Rimet for the growth of the game.

Rimet and Delaunay were at the meeting, which may have contributed to the ultimate choice.

France received 19 votes, Argentina received 3 and Germany got one.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Jules Rimet with other FIFA members during the 1936 FIFA Congress in Berlin)

France became the second European hosts after Italy in 1934 and third overall.

The Argentina delegation left the Congress in protest.

Argentina had lobbied for the hosting rights and advanced the idea that the tournament should be hosted alternatively in Europe and South America.

After their request was rejected, the Argentineans pressured the other Nations in the Americas to boycott the World Cup.

Uruguay were already snubbing the World Cup in Europe as they had in 1934 as protest for the refusals of the many European Nations during the 1930 Edition at Montevideo.

Even though the alternating venue location was not written down it was assumed to be the case. Argentina had withdrawn their candidacy in 1930 and supported Uruguay with the belief that the next World Cup in 1938 would be in South America and Argentina.

Brazil would be the only South American Nation to participate.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Art Cover by Joe Bridge)

-England and the other British Nations were still boycotting FIFA and did not participate in the qualifiers.

The British Nations were still out of FIFA and would miss out on all the World Cups of the 1930s.

-On December 18^th, 1936, a commission was set up headed by Rene Chevalier along with Henri Delaunay, Dr. Ivo Schricker (General Secretary of FFA), the Italian Ottorino Barassi and Frenchman J. Caudron.

On March 14^th, 1937 at Paris, FIFA’s executive committee listened to the recommendations of this commission in setting up the Qualification Groups and the Preliminary matches.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(The Organization committee for the 1938 World Cup in France)

Photo From: Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 14, 1982, La Glorieuse Epopee De la Coupe Du Monde

(The Organization committee for the 1938 World Cup in France)

An Organization commission was also set up that included Hungary’s Maurice Fischer, Holland’s Dirk Lotsy as well as Dr. Schricker and Henri Delaunay.

One of the decisions made was concerning the Final match. It was agreed that if after a replay the match was still tied the two teams would be considered co-winners and each team would hold onto the World Cup for two years each.

Ten other sub-committees were also formed that day for the other administrative issues concerning the World Cup.

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(Sketch illustration of FIFA members)

-Since the last World Cup, the political climate of Europe had worsened and the continent was on the brink of what many believed would be an inevitable War.

Italy was still under Fascist Dictator Benito Mussolini.

At the time of 1934, Hitler’s Nazi Regime had taken over just the year before, but by now their intents were becoming clearer and many believed War and conflict was just around the corner.

-Spain had been in the midst of a Civil War and did not participate internationally and therefore did not play in the qualifiers.

-The 1936 Olympics in Berlin had been marred with Political overtones, as the Nazis had used the event to advance their propaganda.

-Initially 33 Nations (36-37 in some sources) wanted to compete to take. Some withdrew for various reasons and it was left to 24 Nations (26-27-28 Nations in other sources) to compete for the remaining 14 spots.

France as hosts and Italy as defending Champions had automatically qualified.

The deadline for entries was February 15^th, 1937. The Qualification draw was made on March 14^th, 1937 in Paris.

The actual FIFA membership at this time was 51.

-This would be the first World Cup, where the defending Champion was guaranteed to participate in the following Tournament. This tradition would remain in place until the 2006 World Cup qualifiers (Brazil as 2002 World Cup Champions participated in the Qualifiers, as did all Champions onwards).

Likewise, from this World Cup onwards the host Nation was also guaranteed an automatic spot.

Italy in 1934 would be the only time when the host Nation would have to qualify on the field.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13681, June 5, 1938

(Map of Stade Colombes with its surroundings)

-Austria was annexed by Hitler’s Germany on March 12, 1938 (Anschluss). Austria would withdraw from the World Cup and as a result, fifteen teams took part in the World Cup instead of sixteen.

England had been invited to replace Austria but refused.

-The qualified Nations were as follows:

Europe: France (Host Nation), Italy (Defending Champions), Germany, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, and Belgium.

Note: Austria had qualified, but were withdrawn after the ‘Anschluss’.

South America: Brazil

North/Central America: Cuba

Asia: Dutch East Indies

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(FIFA Congress June 3, 1938)

Wordl Cup Qualifiers

Group 1

This Group appeared to be a formality for Germany and Sweden as two teams were guaranteed to qualify, with Finland and Estonia posing no threat.

The Germans and Swedes comfortably defeated Finland and Estonia ahead of their inconsequential clash on November 21^st, 1937 in Hamburg.

In Germany’s win over Estonia (4-1) on August 29^th, 1937, it has been reported that the Match Referee the Sudeten-German (Czechoslovakian), awarded Germany’s goal in the 51^st minute after the corner kick hit the post and rebounded off the field. He also impeded the Estonian goalkeeper three times (with the Germans scoring each time).

The Germans demolished a below strength (7 debutants) Swedish squad (5-0) to win the Group and qualify with Sweden.

Photo From: Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989

(Germany squad, November 21, 1937, World Cup Qualifier, Germany 5-Sweden 0)

Group 2

Norway eliminated the Irish Free State after two hard fought matches that yielded many goals (3-2 in Oslo) and (3-3 in Dublin).

Norway used the backbone of the 1936 Olympics side that had finished third. Neither team had ever met one another before in International play.

In Oslo, Norway were dominant and felt the scoreline should have been wider.

The sports paper ‘Sportsmanden’ printed the following headline: '37 chances gave 3 Norwegian goals'.

In the match at Oslo, the Swedish FIFA observer, Anton Johanson, had protested that Ireland’s James Dunne might be ineligible on the grounds that he had played for the IFA, who were not members of FIFA. The Norwegian secretary was so confident of FIFA’s decision that he stated the return leg would rank only as a friendly.

The FAI Secretary Joe Wickham contacted FIFA and the selectors went ahead and chose Dunne for the game in Dublin before word came that Norway had decided to take no action on the protest that 'had been suggested to them'.

In the match at Dublin, for the first time in a FIFA competition the two teams used numbered shirts.

Photo From: IFFHS-Norge (1908-1940), Suomi (1911-1940)-Essti (1920-1940)

(October 10, 1937, World Cup Qualifier, Norway 3-Irish Free State 2)

Group 3

Poland eliminated Yugoslavia in this Group. Poland had taken a comfortable (4-0) lead in the first leg on October 10, 1937 in Warszawa.

The return leg was nearly six months later on April 2^nd, 1938 at Belgrade. Yugoslavia’s narrow (1-0) win was insufficient as Poland qualified for its First ever World Cup.

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (special thanks to Christopher Lash) (@rightbankwarsaw)

(October 10, 1937, World Cup Qualifier, Poland 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Group 4

African representative Egypt were drawn against European representatives of Romania.

The home and away series were scheduled for December 1937 (or February 1938 in some sources).

However, Egypt withdrew in November 1937 and therefore Romania qualified for the World Cup without kicking a ball.

Group 5

Switzerland and Portugal were to play one another in a single play-off match just over a month before the World Cup on May 1^st, 1938 at the neutral venue of Milan in Italy.

Switzerland defeated the Portugese (2-1) and qualified for the World Cup.

It was reported that the Milan crowd were hostile to Switzerland for political reasons.

The Portuguese under the Salazar regime made the Fascist salute to the Milan crowd, while the Swiss just yelled ‘hip, hip, hourrah, as tradition dictated at the time.

The crowd jeered them as a result.

Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler were both in the stands.

Photo From: L'Equipe de Suisse, Authors Guy Balibouse, Roger Felix, Pierre Tripod, 1993

(May 1, 1938, World Cup Qualifier, Switzerland 2-Portugal 1)

Group 6

Hungary were favorites in a Group along with Greece and Palestine. Greece had eliminated Palestine in home and away series.

The Greeks had to face Hungary in a play-off. Hungary demolished Greece (11-1) on March 25^th, 1938 to qualify for the World Cup.

Group 7

Czechoslovakia faced Bulgaria for a spot in this Group. The first leg at Sofia ended as a (1-1) tie on November 7^th, 1937.

The return leg was almost six months later on April 24^th, 1938 at Prague. Czechoslovakia comfortably won (6-0) to qualify for the World Cup.

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(April 24, 1938, World Cup Qualifier, Czechoslovakia 6-Bulgaria 0)

Group 8

The Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania had to face off and the winner was to face Austria for a play-off.

Latvia defeated Lithuania (4-2 at home) and (5-1 away).

On October 5^th, 1937, Austria defeated Latvia (2-1) in Vienna to qualify for the World Cup.

However, after the ‘Anchluss’ on March 12^th, 1938, Austria withdrew from the World Cup.

Latvia requested to be included in the World Cup, but FIFA denied this request.

Group 9

Neighboring Nations Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg were in a Group with two teams qualifying. It was a formality that Belgium and Holland would qualify.

Both Holland and Belgium defeated Luxembourg. The match-up between Belgium and Holland in Antwerp on April 3^rd, 1938 was inconsequential and ended as a (1-1) tie.

Photo From: IFFHS-Belgique-Belgie (1904-1940)

(Team captains, April 3, 1938, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 1-Holland 1)

Group 10

Initially Four nations from the Americas were to qualify.

Peru had withdrawn in protest stemming back from the 1936 Olympics. On October 2^nd, 1937, the Peruvian Football Federation resigned its FIFA affiliation, three months before the registration term for the 1938 World Cup expired.

The South American qualifying campaign winner would directly qualify. The other three would have to play pre-qualification games in French venues. Thus, the winner of the North-American zone would decide a vacancy against the winner of the Asian group and the winner from the Central American zone would play against the second place in South America.

Uruguay had withdrawn a year prior to the World and other Nations would follow suit.

Only two Nations sent their registration forms before the deadline; Brazil and Colombia. Somehow, FIFA officials decided that Colombia would play in Group 11 (Central American Zone, in a Group with El Salvador, Mexico, Cuba and Dutch Guyana.).

Colombia eventually withdrew due to lack of funds.

The Bolivia and Argentina Federations requested FIFA to extend the registration date. The suit was accepted, but a week before the new deadline expired the Bolivians withdrew.

Argentina had originally withdrawn on April 3^rd, 1937, after not getting the hosting rights. They reconsidered and on October 27^th, 1937 registered for the World Cup, provided they did not have to play in qualification matches.

On November 7^th, 1937, FIFA accepted their registration.

They later re-entered in January 1938.

On March 5, 1938, the day of the draw for the finals in France, FIFA considered Brazil as a ranked team and determined that Argentina would have to play a pre-qualification game against Cuba, winner of the Central American zone in Bordeaux on May 29^th, 1938.

In some sources it is stated that on January 9^th, 1938, the Organizing Committee decided that Paris would be the match's venue on May 31st.

Argentina appeared to accept the decision. On March 9^th, 1938, Argentina’s First Division clubs asked the Association Council, to withdraw from participating in the World Cup. On March 15^th, the Council insisted upon playing the tournament. On March 22^nd, Argentina ultimately withdrew from the World Cup.

Finally, on April 10, the Argentina sent a telegram to FIFA saying they were out of the World Cup. The motive given was ‘solidarity with Uruguay over the Europeans' boycott of the 1930 World Cup’.

Note: Some sources state that had Argentina won their qualifying match, they would play against Romania in a play-off.

FIFA assigned the South American berth to Brazil, the only Nation from the continent eager to participate.

Group 11

Mexico were to play Cuba, however, due to a dispute over funds withdrew. It was also stated that Mexico might have withdrawn as a show of solidarity with Uruguay and Argentina

USA scheduled to play Dutch East Indies on May 26^th, 1938 in Rotterdam but withdrew in April 1938.

A tournament was scheduled in April 1938 between Cuba, Colombia, Costa Rica and El Salvador, with each tie decided over three legs.

Surinam (Dutch Guyana) were expelled on April 9^th, 1938 for allegedly having not replied to correspondence from the organizers (they would protest this decision).

Later in April 1938, Colombia and El Salvador withdrew, leaving Cuba, Costa Rica and Surinam.

Surinam withdrew for lack of funds. They requested to play the match against the Dutch East Indies that USA had withdrawn from. This request was refused by the FIFA.

Costa Rica would in turn withdraw.

Cuba had a walkover, as Argentina also withdrew.

Cuba became the first country from Central America to qualify for a World Cup.

Group 12

The Dutch East Indies were to face Japan for a spot in this Group. The place was to be decided over one match in Saigon on January 1938.

Japan withdrew leaving the Dutch East Indies to face off against USA in a play-off scheduled for May 26^th, 1938 in Rotterdam.

However, USA withdrew as well in April 1938 for Financial motives and the Dutch East Indies qualified without kicking a ball

They became the first Nation from Asia to qualify for the World Cup.

The Americans had been hoping to raise funds with the receipts of a match against an English club. However, the English cancelled the match refusing

to play on a Sunday.

Pre-World Cup:

-The World Cup Draw was made on March 5^th, 1938. Jules Rimet’s 6-year-old grandson, Yves, made the draw for the round of 16 matches. The ceremony was held at the ‘Quai d'Orsay Salon de l'Horloge’, the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the French government in Paris.

When the World Cup draw ceremony was held, there were still some remaining matches.

The Draw was presided by France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, François de Tessan along with Mr. Courson, the under-Secretary of Sports Ministry.

They were eight seeded teams in the Draw: Germany, Argentina (still had not officially renounced) or Cuba, Austria (not yet annexed), Brazil, France, Hungary (or Greece still to play), Italy and Czechoslovakia (or Bulgaria, still to play).

The other Group containing the non-seeded teams were Belgium (or Luxembourg), Dutch East Indies, Holland (or Luxembourg), Norway, Poland (or Yugoslavia), Romania, Sweden, Switzerland (or Portugal).

The first team to be drawn was Germany and their adversary was the winner of the yet to be played qualifier between Switzerland and Portugal (eventually Switzerland).

The following draws were:

France vs. Belgium (or Luxembourg)

Italy vs. Norway

Brazil vs. Poland (or Yugoslavia)

Czechoslovakia (or Bulgaria) vs. Holland (or Luxembourg)

Argentina or Central America (Cuba) vs. Romania

Austria vs. Sweden

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Jules Rimet’s 10 year-old grandson Yves Rimet participating in the World Cup draw)

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(Jules Rimet’s 10 year-old grandson Yves Rimet participating in the World Cup draw)

Photo From: Vasle Juan - Ustavie svet - Mundial je tu!

(Jules Rimet’s 10 year-old grandson Yves Rimet participating in the World Cup draw)

The World Cup to take place from June 4^th to 19^th, 1938. The venues were at Antibes, Bordeaux, Le Havre, Lille, Marseille, Paris, Reims, Strasbourg and Toulouse.

By the time the all the qualifiers had ended, it was determined to have the opening match between Germany and Switzerland on Saturday, June 4^th, 1938 at Paris at 17:00 Hours.

All the other First round matches would be similarly held on the following day (Sunday, June 5^th) at 17:00 Hours.

The Quarterfinals would be held on Sunday June 12^th and the Semifinals on Thursday June 16^th.

The Final would be held on Sunday, June 19^th.

Note: The replays for Germany-Switzerland and Cuba-Romania were held on Thursday June 9^th.

The Brazil-Czechoslovakia replay was held on Tuesday June 14^th.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(World Cup schedule)

-The format of the Tournament was identical to the 1934 edition (Direct elimination process).

They made a seeding system and placed eight teams as top seeds to be drawn against the un-seeded teams.

In case of ties, the matches would go into overtime.

-This World Cup would not feature any Referees from the South American Continent. Most probably due to the resentment from most South American countries for Argentina being snubbed as hosts.

- Cuba and the Dutch East Indies were making their first and thus far only appearance in the World Cup Finals.

Note: Dutch East Indies is the present Indonesia.

* Repetitions from 1934 article relevant to 1938:

-Belgium’s Raymond Braine had been refused the right to participate in the 1930 World Cup due to his professional activities (Opening a Restaurant and joining Czechoslovakian side Sparta Prague as a Professional).

I. France:

For its preparations, the 22 French players were lodged for three weeks prior to the Tournament at ‘Hotel du Grand-Cerf’ at Chantilly.

They arrived on May 19^th, 1938.

The team would be managed by Gaston Barreau and be accompanied with Maurice Cottenet.

Cottenet handled the players’ physical training.

Apart from training the players had other distractions such as Tennis, Golf, Card Games and even fishing.

Barreau would supervise the trainings along with Caudron and Victor Mestre (On the technical staff of Racing Paris, but had been promoted as the Administrative Director of the Training Camp).

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Gaston Barreau and Victor Mestre)

On one occasion, French actor Jean Gabin visited the players during the filming of Jean Renoir’s ‘La Bete Humaine’.

A frequent visitor was Gabriel Hanot (former International) and now a writer for ‘Football’ and ‘Miroir des Sports’, who often advised the players.

A friendly was arranged against Racing de Paris (1-1) at Chantilly.

Raoul Diagne said in a 1998 interview that after three weeks players grew bored and uneasy and could not wait for the start of the competition.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2717, May 5, 1998

(Raoul Diagne in 1998)

The players had been promised free time during the night after the matches.

They looked upon that as their bonus. He likened it to children at school waiting for the bell to ring. They would go out to enjoy the Paris nightlife, even with Assistant Coach Maurice Cottenet.

The players would go to ‘Chez Michou’ and ‘Chez Eve’. In the morning the players would read sports newspapers such as ‘L’Auto’ and ‘L'Echo des sports’ and cut out the articles written about them.

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(Ben Bouali, Ignace Kowalczyk and Etienne Mattler at Chantilly)

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(France National Team at Chantilly)

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(France National Team at Chantilly)

-Due to injuries Vandooren and Courtois were unable to attend the training camp, while Jasseron and Powolny were retained by their club (second Division’s Le Havre), still involved in the promotion push to the First Division.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2717, May 5, 1998

(France players in training)

-The father of France’s Alfred Aston was an Englishman. Aston himself had been brought up in Chantilly and knew the area well.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Alfred Aston)

- René Lucot (August 15, 1908-October 10, 2003), a thirty-year-old filmmaker, made a documentary film about the 1938 World Cup.

He had presented his idea on his directing of the documentary to the Federal Bureau (Jules Rimet amongst them) and was met with complete silence.

Them someone asked him “It is very beautiful what you are presenting, but when the World Cup ends what will this film serve?”

Henri Delaunay liked the initiative and sanctioned it.

He was able to install cameras even in the VIP stands thanks to Henri Delaunay.

Lucot had only three Cameramen and could not film entire matches. They had to ‘feel’ the important phases of the matches to film. They also filmed the VIP stands with celebrities.

For the editing, Jean Gabin had promised to narrate, but he was filming ‘La Bete Humaine’ and was unable.

Radio Reporter Jean Antoine would do the commentary. Along with the help of his journalist friend Jean Eskenazi, Lucot edited the film to 35 minutes.

Delaunay asked Club Presidents to show the film at their local cinemas.

Today the Footage is considered priceless and FIFA uses it. The French Federation owns 50% of the rights with Lucot owning the other half.

France’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Date: January 30, 1938

Venue: Paris -Parc des Princes

Attendance: 39,000

Referee: Arthur James Jewell (England)

France 5-Belgium 3 (Roger Courtois 8, Emile Veinante 41, 51, Oscar Heisserer 47, Ignace Kowalczyk 78 / Raymond Braine 22, Bernard Voorhoof 28, StanleyVan den Eynde 76)

France: René Llense (Sète), Hector Cazenave (Sochaux-Montbéliard),

Etienne Mattler (captain) (Sochaux-Montbéliard), François Bourbotte (SC Fivois), Auguste Jordan (Racing Club de Paris), Marcel Marchal (Metz), Roger Courtois (Sochaux-Montbéliard), Ignace Kowalczyk (Metz), Jean Nicolas (Grand Rouen), Oscar Heisserer (RC Strasbourg), Emile Veinante (Racing Club de Paris)

Coach: Gaston Barreau

Date: March 24, 1938

Venue: Paris -Parc des Princes

Attendance: 28,512

Referee: Walter Lewington (England)

France 6-Bulgaria 1 (Jean Nicolas 6, 87, Alfred Aston 29,52, Emmanuel Aznar 79, Emile Veinante 83 / Auguste Jordan (own goal) or Mihail Lozanov 67)

France: Laurent Di Lorto (Sochaux-Montbéliard), Hector Cazenave (Sochaux-Montbéliard), Etienne Mattler (captain) (Sochaux-Montbéliard), François Bourbotte (SC Fivois), Auguste Jordan (Racing Club de Paris), Raoul Diagne (Racing Club de Paris), Alfred Aston (Red Star Paris), Oscar Heisserer (RC Strasbourg), Jean Nicolas (Grand Rouen), Emmanuel Aznar (Olympique de Marseille), Emile Veinante (Racing Club de Paris)

Coach: Gaston Barreau

Date: May 26, 1938

Venue: Paris (Stade de Colombes)-Stade Olympique- Stade Yves du Manoir

Attendance: 45,168

Referee: Louis Baert (Belgium)

France 2-England 4 (Auguste Jordan 32, Jena Nicolas 36 / Frank Broome 6, Ted Drake 34, 40, Cliff Bastin 85 pen)

France: Laurent Di Lorto (Sochaux-Montbéliard), Hector Cazenave (Sochaux-Montbéliard), Etienne Mattler (captain) (Sochaux-Montbéliard), François Bourbotte (SC Fivois), Auguste Jordan (Racing Club de Paris), Raoul Diagne (Racing Club de Paris), Roger Courtois (Sochaux-Montbéliard), Michel Brusseaux (Sète), Jean Nicolas (Grand Rouen), Oscar Heisserer (RC Strasbourg), Alfred Aston (Red Star Paris)

Coach: Gaston Barreau

II. Germany

-German Manager Josef 'Sepp' Herberger had been appointed following the 1936 Olympics replacing Otto Nerz.

He would remain in charge until 1964, for a run of 28 years, the longest in German Football History. His successor would be Helmut Schoen.

Photo From: Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989

(Fritz Szepan and Sepp Herberger)

-On May 16, 1937, Germany defeated Denmark (8-0) in a friendly in Breslau. This squad would be known as ‘Breslau-Elf’. Germany’s core of the 1938 squad would be comprised of these players, that included: Jakob, Janes, Munzenberg, Kupfer, Goldbrunner, Kitzinger, Lehner, Siffling, Szepan and Gellesch.

Note: Breslau is the German language spelling of present-day Polish city Wroclaw. At the time it was still under German control. However, after World War II, it became part of Poland.

Photo From: Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989

(Germany squad, ‘Breslau Elf’, May 16,1937, Germany 8-Denmark 0)

-After the Anshluss (March 12, 1938), Austria’s players would be incorporated into the German squad.

From Austria’s 1934 World Cup squad, Josef Stroh, goalkeeper Rudolf Raftl and Willi Schmaus were included.

Other Austrians to be included were:

Wilhelm Hahnemann, Hans Mock, Leopold Neumer, Johann ‘Hans’ Erik Pesser, Stefan Skoumal and Franz Wagner.

Other Austrians such as Karel Sesta, Camillo Jerusalem and Franz Binder were out of reckoning from the new German team.

Apparently there had been pressure from political front to set the squad up along the ratio 6 x 5 (6 Germans, 5 Austrians).

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(Hans Mock)

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(Willibald Schmaus)

-A symbolic friendly was arranged vs. Austria in Vienna on April 3^rd, 1938. It was thought that the Austrians were not particularly happy to play in a team with Germans.

This match was billed as ‘Anschlussspiel’, or ‘reconciliation game’.

It was held one week before the Referendum on April 10^th for Austrians joining the German Reich (which was overwhelmingly approved).

The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) had dissolved on March 28^th, 1938 and resigned from FIFA.

This was an Unofficial match in the annals of both Nations.

Unofficial

Date: April 3, 1938

Venue: Wien (Vienna)-Praterstadion

Attendance: 60,000

Referee: Alfred Birlem (Germany)

Austria 2-Germany 0 (Matthias Sindelar 62, Karl Sesta 70)

Austria: Peter Platzer (Admira Wien); Karl Sesta (Austria Wien), Willibald Schmaus (First Vienna); Franz Wagner (Rapid Wien), Johann Mock (Austria Wien), Stefan Skoumal (Rapid Wien); Wilhelm Hahnemann (Admira Wien), Josef Stroh (Austria Wien), Matthias Sindelar (Austria Wien), Franz Binder (Rapid Wien), Johann Pesser (Rapid Wien)

Germany: Hans Jakob (Jahn Regensburg), Paul Janes (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Reinhold Münzenberg (Allemania Aachen); Andreas Kupfer (Schweinfurt 05), Ludwig Goldbrunner (Bayern München), Albin Kitzinger (Schweinfurt 05); Ernst Lehner (Schwaben Augsburg), Rudolf Gellesch (Schalke), Hans Berndt (Tennis Borussia Berlin), Josef Gauchel (TuS Neuendorf), Josef Fath (Wormatia Worms)

Coach: Josef ‘Sepp’ Herberger

-Austrian star Matthias Sindelar asked Herberger not to select him for the World Cup.

Matthias Sindelar was found dead on February 23, 1939. (http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2016/05/mysteries-legends-and-conspiracy.html)

-On May 2, 1938, the decisive phase of the World Cup preparation was entered.

Herberger selected an initial group of 38 players (23 Germans and 15 Austrians) for a training camp in Duisburg, to be whittled down to 22.

The called-up players were:

Goalkeepers: Hans Jakob (Jahn Regensburg), Fritz Buchloh (Mülheim), Rudolf Raftl (Rapid Wien), Hans Klodt (Schalke)

Defenders: Willibald Schmaus (First Vienna Wien), Karl Andritz (Austria Wien), Paul Janes (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Willi Billmann (Nurnberg), Kurt Welsch (Neunkirchen), Reinhold Münzenberg (Alemannia Aachen), Jakob Streitle (Bayern Munchen), Milsch (Troisdorf);

Midfeilders: Johann Mock (Austria Wien), Josef Pekarek (Wacker Wien), Stefan Skoumal (Rapid Wien), Siegfried Joksch (Austria Wien), Andreas Kupfer (Schweinfurt), Albin Kitzinger (Schweinfurt), Ludwig Goldbrunner (Bayern Munchen), Hans Rohde (Eimsbutteler), Wilhelm Sold (Saarbrucken), Franz Wagner I (Rapid Wien);

Forwards: Wilhelm Hahnemann (Admira Wien), Josef Stroh (Austria Wien), Camillo Jerusalem (Austria Wien), Josef Epp (Wiener SC), Leopold Neumer (Austria Wien), Franz Binder (Rapid Wien), Hans Pesser (Wien), Rudolf Gellesch (Schalke), Fritz Szepan (Schalke), Edmund Malecki (Hannover), Josef Gauchel (Neuendorf), Otto Siffling (Waldorf Mannheim), Hans Berndt (Tennis Club Borussia Berlin), August Lenz (Borussia Dortmund), Josef Fath (Worms), Ernst Lehner (Augsburg).

Due to injury, Adolf Urban (Schalke), Helmut Schoen (Dresden) and Peter Platzer (Admira Wien) did not make the cut.

Adolf Urban had been an integral part of the ‘Breslau-Elf’.

Helmut Schoen would become West Germany’s Manager after Herberger in 1964.

-When experimenting, Herberger (along with Otto Nerz, the former Manager as help) faced a problem in the sense that each team (Germany and Austria) was better by itself but blending the players weakened the team.

The Austrian style was visibly different than Germany’s style.

On May 12, 1938, Otto Nerz asked the Federation in writing to release him from his national duties.

Herberger was to take sole responsibility.

-On May 14, 1938, Germany hosted England at Berlin (the infamous match where English players were forced to make the Nazi salute prior to kick-off.

After the defeat (3-6) against England, there was even more public pressure to include the Austrian players into the German squad.

Herberger chose not to experiment by including the Austrians and instead decided to stick with his ‘Breslau-Elf’ side.

However, he was forced to replace the injured Otto Siffling with Josef Gauchel.

In addition, Johann Pesser, the only Austrian in the side, replaced the injured Adolf Urban.

* Repetitions from a previous entry in the blog relevant to 1938:

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2015/12/politics-and-game-part-three.html

English players giving the Nazi salute, 1938

The 1938 friendly between Germany and England in Berlin (May 14, 1938, Germany 3-England 6) is always remembered for the sight of the English players giving the Nazi salute.

It is somewhat unclear as to why the players did it (more importantly who forced them).

According to England Captain Edris Hapgood, he was called in by FA President Stanley Rous and tour leader Charles Wreford-Brown. They told him that after a meeting with the ambassador Sir Neville Henderson, they were instructed to give the Nazi salute prior to the kickoff to avoid any political incidents. (Remember appeasement)

For his part, Stanley Rous claimed that he put the decision up to the players, but did point out that the match atmosphere might be affected by their refusal.

Given the sensitivity of game with the possibility war looming on the horizon, it seems unlikely that the authorities (Football or Political) would have left it up to the players.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13680, June 4, 1938

(German players in Paris) /span>

Germany’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Date: February 6, 1938

Venue: Köln (Cologne)- Müngersdorfer Stadion

Attendance: 78,000

Referee: Reginald George Rudd (England)

Germany 1-Switzerland 1 (Fritz Szepan 74 / Georges Aeby38)

Germany: Willy Jürissen (Rot-Weiß Oberhausen), Paul Janes (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Reinhold Münzenberg (Alemannia Aachen), Andreas Kupfer (Schweinfurt 05), Wilhelm Sold (Saarbrücken), Rudolf Gellesch (Schalke), Ernst Lehner (Schwaben Augsburg), Adolf Urban (Schalke), Otto Siffling (Waldhof Mannheim), Fritz Szepan (Schalke), Karl Striebinger (Rasenspiele Mannheim)

Coach: Josef ‘Sepp’ Herberger

March 20, 1938

Wuppertal -Stadion am Zoo

Attendance: 20, 000

Referee: Hans Wüthrich (Switzerland)

Germany 2-Luxembourg 1 (Josef Gauchel 6 pen, 75 / Camille Libar 73)

Germany: Hans Jakob (Regensburg), Willi Billmann (Nürnberg), Reinhold Münzenberg (Alemannia Aachen), Albin Kitzinger (Schweinfurt 05), Ludwig Goldbrunner (Bayern München), Hans Mengel (TuRu 1880 Düsseldorf), Ernst Lehner (Schwaben Augsburg), Otto Siffling (Waldhof Mannheim),Hans Berndt (Tennis Club Borussia Berlin), Ernst Kuzorra (Schalke), Josef Fath (Rasensport Wormatia Worms)

Coach: Josef ‘Sepp’ Herberger

Date: March 20, 1938

Venue: Nürnberg-Altes Stadion

Attendance: 50,000

Referee: Johannes (John) Langenus (Belgium)

Germany 1-Hungary 1 (Otto Siffling 29 / Geza Toldi 49)

Coach: Josef ‘Sepp’ Herberger

Note: Germany played two matches on March 20^th

Date: April 24, 1938

Venue: Frankfurt- Waldstadion

Attendance: 54,000

Referee: Rinaldo Barlassina (Italy)

Germany 1-Portugal 1 (Otto Siffling 75 / Artur Sousa ‘Pinga’18)

Germany: Hans Jakob (Regensburg),Paul Janes (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Reinhold Münzenberg (Alemannia Aachen), Andreas Kupfer (Schweinfurt 05), Ludwig Goldbrunner (Bayern München), Albin Kitzinger (Schweinfurt 05),Ernst Lehner (Schwaben Augsburg), Rudolf Gellesch (Schalke), Otto Siffling (Waldhof Mannheim), Fritz Szepan (Schalke), Josef Fath (Rasensport Wormatia Worms)

Coach: Josef ‘Sepp’ Herberger

May 14, 1938

Venue: Berlin, Olympia Stadion

Attendance: 105, 000

Referee: Johannes (John) Langenus (Belgium)

Germany 3-England 6 (Rudolf Gellesch 20, Josef Gauchel 44, Hans Pesser 77 / Cliff Bastin 15, John Robinson 26, 49,Frank Broome 29, Stanley Matthews 42,Leonard Goulden 85)

Germany: Hans Jakob (Regensburg),Paul Janes (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Reinhold Münzenberg (Alemannia Aachen), Andreas Kupfer (Schweinfurt 05), Ludwig Goldbrunner (Bayern München), Albin Kitzinger (Schweinfurt 05),Ernst Lehner (Schwaben Augsburg), Rudolf Gellesch (Schalke), Josef Gauchel (TuS Neuendorf 1911 Koblenz), Fritz Szepan (Schalke),Hans Pesser (Sportklub Rapid Wien)

Coach: Josef ‘Sepp’ Herberger

-Herberger also had to contend with the final rounds of the German Championship that many of his players were involved in.

Five days before the first World Cup match, the League semi-finals were still on the schedule.

-Three friendlies were scheduled against English club Aston Villa FC as part of the preparations and Austrian players were tested for the new Germany.

May 15, 1938 (At Berlin)

Germany 2 - Aston Villa 3 (1-1)

Goals: 0:1 Frank Broome (9.), 1:1 Franz Binder (40.), 1:2 Frank Shell (71.), 1:3 Frank Broome (78.), 2:3 Wilhelm Hahnemann (89)

Germany: Rudolf Raftl; Jakob Streitle, Willibald Schmaus; Franz Wagner, Johann Mock, Stefan Skoumal; Wilhelm Hahnemann, Josef Stroh, Franz Binder, Camillo Jerusalem, Leopold Neumer

Aston Villa: Fred Biddlestone; Ernie Callaghan, George Cummings; Alex Massie, James Allen, Bob Iverson; Frank Broome, Freddie Haycock, Frank Shell, Ronnie Starling, Eric Houghton

Coach: Jimmy Hogan

Note: This German team was called “Wiener Elf”, Streitle was the only non-Austrian.

May 18, 1938 (At Dusseldorf)

Germany 2 - Aston Villa 1 (2-1)

Goals: 0:1 Eric Houghton, 1:1 Josef Gauchel, 2:1 Hans Pesser

Germany: Rudolf Raftl; Paul Janes, Jakob Streitle; Franz Wagner, Johann Mock, Albin Kitzinger; Wilhelm Hahnemann, Rudolf Gellesch, Josef Gauchel, Fritz Szepan, Hans Pesser

Aston Villa: Fred Biddlestone; Ernie Callaghan, George Cummings; Alex Massie, James Allen, Bob Iverson; Frank Shell, Freddie Haycock, Frank Broome, Ronnie Starling, Eric Houghton

Coach: Jimmy Hogan

May 22, 1938 (At Stuttgart)

Germany 1 - Aston Villa 2 (0-2)

Goals: 0:1 Bob Iverson, 0:2 Eric Houghton (penalty), 1:2 August Lenz (74)

Germany: Hans Jakob; Reinhold Munzenberg, Willibald Schmaus; Andraes Kupfer, Ludwig Goldbrunner, Stefan Skoumal; Ernst Lehner, Josef Stroh, August Lenz, Wilhelm Hahnemann, Leopold Neumer

Aston Villa: William Carey; Ernie Callaghan, George Cummings; Alex Massie, James Allen, Bob Iverson; Albert Kerr, Freddie Haycock, George Pritty, Ronnie Starling, Eric Houghton

Coach: Jimmy Hogan

-Sepp Herberger announced his Final 22 after these matches against Aston Villa.

Adolf Urban, one of ‘Breslau-Elf’ heroes missed out through injury.

August Lenz also failed to make the final cut.

III. Italy

- Italy Manager Vittorio Pozzo (March 12, 1886-December 21, 1968) was still in charge as he had been in 1934.

He took charge of the National Team for the first time for the 1912 Olympics.

He returned as head coach in 1929. He would remain as Commissario Tecnico until 1948.

The only survivors from Italy’s 1934 World Cup winning squad were Giuseppe Meazza (now promoted as Captain), Giovanni Ferrari, Eraldo Monzeglio and substitute goalkeeper Guido Masetti.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 988 (Number 12),March 23-29, 1994

(Silvio Piola and Vittorio Pozzo)

-In 1934, The Italians had drafted Oriundis (an Oriundo in particular refers to South Americans with Spanish or Italian ancestry), such as Argentinean-born stars such as Luisito Monti (Juventus), Raimundo Orsi (Juventus), Attilio Demaria (Ambrosiana-Inter) and Enrique Guaita (AS Roma).

For this 1938 Edition, the lone Orundi was Uruguayan-born Michele Andreolo who filled Luisito Monti’s role.

Photo From: La Grande Storia del Calcio Italiano, L'apoteosi di Parigi, Issue 8, April 1965

(Michele Andreolo)

-In 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Italy had been triumphant. Pozzo called up Alfredo Foni, Pietro Rava, Sergio Bertoni, and Ugo Locatelli to the full squad.

-Before leaving for France, the squad trained initially in the Alps, above Stresa, on Lake Maggiore (just like in 1934) in May. This phase was to ‘detoxify’ the players and included rest, relaxation

Afterwards, they went to Cueno (in Piedmont) for the final phase of preparation. This was where the real physical and tactical training was accomplished.

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(Italians training)

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Italians at the Port of Marseille)

Photo From: La Grande Storia del Calcio Italiano, L'apoteosi di Parigi, Issue 8, April 1965

(Italy squad in training)

-Italy concluded its preparation with friendlies on two consecutive Sundays, against Belgium (May 15^th at Milan) and vs. Yugoslavia May 22^nd(at Genoa).

On May 15^th, Belgium were defeated (6-1). Preceding the match, the B-squad (with Foni in command) defeated Luxembourg (4-0).

On May 22^nd , Yugoslavia were defeated (4-0) with some of the missing elements from the Belgium match, such as Foni and Colaussi.

The B-Team defeated a South German selection XI (5-2).

Italy’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Date: May 15, 1938

Venue: Milano -Stadio Comunale, San Siro

Attendance: 25, 000

Referee: Peter J. (Peco) Bauwens (Germany)

Italy 6-Belgium 1 (Giuseppe Meazza 17 pen, Michele Andreolo 28, Piero Pasinati 58, Silvio Piola 71, 80, 84 / Jean Capelle 2)

Italy: Aldo Olivieri (Lucchese) , Eraldo Monzeglio (Roma), Pietro Rava (Juventus), Pietro Serantoni (Roma) , Michele Andreolo (Bologna),

Ugo Locatelli (Ambrosiana -Inter), Piero Pasinati (Triestina), Giuseppe Meazza (captain) (Ambrosiana -Inter), Silvio Piola (Lazio), Giovanni Ferrari (Ambrosiana -Inter), Pietro Ferraris II (Ambrosiana -Inter)

Coach: Vittorio Pozzo

May 22, 1938

Venue: Genova -Stadio Comunale ‘Luigi Ferraris’

Attendance: 25, 000

Referee: Alfred Birlem (Germany)

Italy 4-Yugoslavia 0 (Luigi Colaussi 6, Silvio Piola 12, Giuseppe Meazza 62 pen, Giovanni Ferrari 84)

Italy: Carlo Ceresoli (Bologna), Alfredo Foni (Juventus), Pietro Rava (Juventus), Mario Perazzolo (Genova 1893), Michele Andreolo (Bologna), Ugo Locatelli (Ambrosiana -Inter), Piero Pasinati (Triestina), Giuseppe Meazza (captain) (Ambrosiana -Inter), Silvio Piola (Lazio), Giovanni Ferrari (Ambrosiana -Inter), Luigi ‘Gino’ Colaussi (Triestina)

Coach: Vittorio Pozzo

IV. Brazil

In 1937, after almost four years of power struggle, the Brazilian Confederation of Sports, chaired by Luiz Martha, returned to take charge of football in the country, recognizing the professional regime and absorbing the then dissident Brazilian Federation of football. The president of the FBF, Jose Maria Castello Branco, became the confederation's director and was named responsible for the Selection of the World Cup Team.

In March of 1938, National team Manager Adhemar Pimenta selected a group for the initial training sessions. Six players ended up being removed after medical evaluations.

Pimenta angered Flamengo fans for not calling up Waldemar de Britto, one of the Brazilian stars of the 1934 World Cup in Italy. The Botafogo fans complained the absence of Carvalho Leite.

Many Companies, as well as ‘Banco do Brasil’ participated in financing Brazil’s World Cup expedition.

It was reported that a dentist Alceu Batista offered free service to the players.

The majority of the funds were obtained through the thousands of stamps sold, with a raffle for a couple of tickets to accompany Brazil to the World Cup.

The first issue of 100,000 stamps was sold in a matter of days.

Each stamp was sold for 500 Reis, which resulted in collection for the expenses of the National Team in France. When buying a stamp the fan became a "patriotic investor" and could be considered - as the advertisement campaign proclaimed "part of the delegation".

Brazil manager Adhemar Pimenta received no political pressure from the various Confederations, but many observers commented that he was tactically unaware, especially of the popular WM Formation.

Adhemar Pimenta formed two teams to select his best squad. The ‘blue team’ included Batatais; Domingos da Guia, Machado; Zeze Procopio, Martim Silveira and Afonsinho; Lopes, Romeu Pellicciari, Leonidas da Silva, Peracio and Hercules. The other team, the ‘White team’ included Walter; Jau, Nariz; Britto, Brandao and Argemiro; Roberto, Luizinho, Niginho and Patesko.

Pimenta would never reveal which as the main team to keep the players on edge, but it was assumed that any team that featured Domingos Da Guia and Leonidas was the main team.

After 12 days of training in Rio, Pimenta proposed that the 28 selected players should spent two weeks in the Aguas de Caxambu, in Minas Gerais, for a training period of 30 days. CBD accepted this request.

As soon as they had got off the bus in the small mining town, the players were greeted by a band of music and had to listen to long speeches by the Mayor, Fabio Vieira Marques, and other local authorities. The delegation was then invited to visit the tourist attractions and meet and greet local politicians, etc.

Thus, the light training programmed for that first day had to be canceled due to lack of time.

Some journalists who accompanied the training commented that discipline was not the strong point of that group.

The Gloria and Lopes hotels, which hosted the National Team, were also casinos (gambling was a legal in Brazil in 1938), which distracted the players.

On April 5^th, the head of Delegation, Castello Branco published the imposing ‘Ten Commandments of the Players of the Brazilian Seleção’. The tenth commandment said: "No element can discuss the ordained standard established by the CBD." And the ninth set the same thing in relation to the bonuses for cup wins. The problem was the CBD's offered salary was less than most players earned with their clubs.

The players wrote back to the Confederation asking the following:

1) Daily 25,000 Reis, which should be paid from the day of setting sail until the day of return.

2) 1.5 Million Reis per player.

3) Ordered monthly minimum of 1.5 Million Reis.

4) Bonuses of 500,000 Reis per win and 250,000 Reis per tie.

All the players signed the petition for wages and prizes, which seemed fair. Castello Branco publicly criticized the claim, even before talking to the players. Botafogo's President, Sergio Darcy, visibly outraged, ordered his players to withdraw the signatures of the document.

Leonidas da Silva and Domingos da Guia, Brazil's two highest paid players at the time, were in Bahia playing friendly matches for Flamengo. On April 5^th, when they returned to Rio de Janeiro, from where they would go to Caxambu, both heard the news. And they decided to stay in the city until the financial situation was resolved. Although they had never said this in public, it was clear that without any agreement, they would not even go to Caxambu and France.

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(Leonidas at Flamengo)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 988 (Number 12),March 23-29, 1994

(Domingos Da Guia)

After a week, everything finally settled peacefully. The CBD stated that its financial department would ‘think long and hard about it’ and that the players would have their full salaries paid by the confederation while they were playing for the National Team. The bonuses were set at 800 francs per victory and 400 per tie, more or less the equivalent of what the players had requested. On April 10^th, Leonidas and Domingos accepted the proposal and joined the National Team for the first time to train in Caxambu.

The only incident during the training period at Aguas Minas was a dislocation in the clavicle suffered by goalkeeper Walter of Flamengo on April 18^th. Walter returned to Rio de Janeiro to consult a specialist and many believed he would be cut. But 12 days later, upon boarding to Europe, Walter arrived and was given a clean bill of health to travel. On the return from Minas Gerais to Rio, Ademar Pimenta announced the availability of six players (Dominguinhos, Thadeu, Cerni, Marreta, Placido and Caxambu).

Pimenta also made some innovations during the training: he would mix and match two defenses, a "light" and another "weight", and did the same thing with the strikers. Every day he mixed up defenders and attackers. When the training in Caxambu ended, journalists and leaders were absolutely confused. In his last interview before leaving Brazil Ademar Pimenta was questioned by a Rio magazine: "The attack that would have been in France will be light or heavy? he responded: "Either one or another, or a mixture of the two."

After the training period, the Brazilian delegation embarked aboard the transatlantic ‘Arlanza’, headed for France, on April 30^th, 1938.

There were stops at Salvador and Recife before crossing the Atlantic.

There was a stopover in Dakar before setting anchor at Marseille on May 15^th.

During the 15 days of travel, Pimenta would make his first mistake. Officers and press professionals kept giving their opinion on who should play and who should leave the team. Pimenta selected Brazil’s squad with the intention to please and satisfy everyone.

Brazil had 20 full days to prepare for its first match. From Marseille, the squad traveled by train to Paris and stayed at the ‘Saint Germain’ and ‘Henri IV’ Hotels.

Two days later they traveled by train to their training camp at Niederbronn in Alsace.

Note:

In another source, Brazil’s journey and dates are as follows:

Brazil arrived in France on May 20^th, 1938, 15 days before their first match. They sailed on April 30^th, from the Guanabara Bay, on board the ‘Arlanza’. (In a different source, it is stated that they left from Rio de Janeiro aboard a Polish Ship called ‘Koscisusko’ and that they arrived at Cherbourg on May 16^th and went via Paris to Niederbonn).

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(Brazil players upon arrival at France)

-Brazil’s last match prior to playing Poland for their first match in the World Cup on June 5^th, 1938, had been in the Copa America Final on February 1^st, 1937 at Buenos Aires (Argentina 2-Brazil 0). This was a stretch of 16 months that the National Team had been out of action.

-Since Brazil did not have an Official Team Doctor. Brazil defender Nariz (February 8, 1912-September 19, 1984) would act in that capacity as he was a doctor himself.

Nariz had personally set up in Botafogo, the medical post for a squad. Until then, injured players were directly taken to hospitals, which made their recovery slower.

-Brazil squad had not taken a masseur with them. The Argentinean player Carlos Volante would fill that role when the team arrived in France.

He was not officially part of the Brazil delegation.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Brazil squad)

V. Other Preparatory Matches

-Sweden did not play any preparatory matches ahead of the World Cup.

While their Official team was in France, a weakened Swedish National team played matches back in Stockholm:

June 10, 1938 (Stockholm - Råsunda -Solna) Sweden 3-Latvia 3

June 15, 1938 (Stockholm - Råsunda -Solna) Sweden 2-Finland 0

Photo From: Гольдес И.- История чемпионатов мира 1930-1962+

(World Cup trophy)

Belgium’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Note: Belgium had two World Cup qualifiers in between the preparatory matches.

Date: January 30, 1938

Venue : Paris -Parc des Princes

Attendance: 39,000

Referee: Arthur James Jewell (England)

France 5-Belgium 3 (Roger Courtois 8, Emile Veinante 41, 51, Oscar Heisserer 47, Ignace Kowalczyk 78 / Raymond Braine 22, Bernard Voorhoof 28, StanleyVan den Eynde 76)

Belgium: Arnold Badjou (Daring Bruxelles), Robert Paverick (Antwerp), Phillibert Smellinckx (Union Saint-Gilloise), Pierre Dalem (Standard Liège),Frans Gommers (Beerschot), Alfons De Winter (Beerschot), Charles Vanden Wouwer (Beerschot),Bernard Voorhoof (Lierse), Jean Capelle (Standard Liège), Raymond Braine (Beerschot), Stanley Vanden Eynde (Beerschot)

Coach: John David ‘Jack’ Butler (England)

Date: Februrary 27, 1938

Venue : Rotterdam-De Kuip-Feyenoord Stadion

Attendance: 51,000

Referee: Thomas J. Thompson (England)

Holland 7-Belgium 2 (Kick Smit 41, 53, 65,74, Frank Wels 59, Leen Vente 79, Henk Van Spaandonck 83 / Raymond Braine 55, Bernard Voorhoof 68)

Belgium: Robert Braet (Cercle Brugge), Robert Paverick (Antwerp), Phillibert Smellinckx (Union Saint-Gilloise),Pierre Dalem (Standard Liège),Honorè Martins (La Gantoise), Alfons De Winter (Beerschot),Bernard Voorhoof (Lierse), Raymond Braine (Beerschot), Jean Capelle (Standard Liège),Arthur Ceuleers (Beerschot),Stanley Vanden Eynde (Beerschot)

Coach: John David ‘Jack’ Butler (England)

Date: May 8, 1938

Venue : Lausanne – Stade Olympique de la Pontaise

Attendance: 21,500

Referee: Raffaele Scorzoni (Italy)

Switzerland 0-Belgium 3 (Bernard Voorhoof 24, 84, Jean Capelle 77)

Belgium: Arnold Badjou (Daring Bruxelles), Robert Paverick (Antwerp),Jean Petit (Standard Liège), John Van Alphen (Beerschot), Emile Stijnen (Olympic Charleroi), Alfons De Winter (Beerschot),Charles Vanden Wouwer (Beerschot), Bernard Voorhoof (Lierse), Jean Capelle (Standard Liège), Raymond Braine (Beerschot), Fernand Buyle (Daring Bruxelles)

Coach: John David ‘Jack’ Butler (England)

Date: May 15, 1938

Venue: Milano -Stadio Comunale, San Siro

Attendance: 25, 000

Referee: Peter J. (Peco) Bauwens (Germany)

Italy 6-Belgium 1 (Giuseppe Meazza 17 pen, Michele Andreolo 28, Piero Pasinati 58, Silvio Piola 71, 80, 84 / Jean Capelle 2)

Coach: John David ‘Jack’ Butler (England)

Date: May 29, 1938

Venue: Bruxelles-Stade du Heysel (Brussels- Heizelstadion)

Attendance: 12,076

Referee: Ivan Eklind (Sweden)

Belgium 2-Yugoslavia 2 ( Jean Capelle 4, Charles Vanden Wouwer 67 / Aleksandar Petrovic 26, Jozo Matosic 77)

Coach: John David ‘Jack’ Butler (England)

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(Official Programme cover of the Tournament)

Czechoslovakia’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Note: Czechsolovakia had one World Cup qualifier (on April 24^th) in between the preparatory matches.

Date: April 3, 1938

Dr. Gerö Cup

Venue: Basel –Nordstern

Attendance: 20,000

Referee: Reginald George Rudd (England)

Switzerland 4-Czechoslovakia 0 (Numa Monnard 28, Tulio Grassi 30, Georges Aeby 39, Lauro Amado 80)

Czechoslovakia: Vojtěch Věchet (Sparta Praha), Jaroslav Burgr (captain) (Sparta Praha), Ferdinand Daučík I (Slavia Praha),Štefan Biró (Bat’a Zlin), Jaroslav Bouček (Sparta Praha), Karel Kolsky (Sparta Praha), Reiner Kugler (Teplicky FK), Josef Zeman (Sparta Praha), Rudolf Schäffer (Teplicky FK), Oldřich Nejedlý (Sparta Praha), Jozef Luknár (I.CsK Bratislava)

Coach: Václav Meissner

Date: May 18, 1938

Venue: Prague -AC Sparta Stadion

Attendance: 17,000

Referee: Johannes (John) Langenus (Belgium)

Czechoslovakia 2-Irish Free State 2 (Oldrich Nejedly 3 pen, 46 / Tom Davis 43, James Dunne 89)

Czechoslovakia: František Plánička (Captain) (Slavia Praha), Jaroslav Burgr (Sparta Praha), Ferdinand Daučík I (Slavia Praha), Josef Košťálek (Sparta Praha), Jaroslav Bouček (Sparta Praha), Vlastimil Kopecký (Slavia Praha), Jan Říha (Sparta Praha), Ladislav Šimůnek (Slavia Praha), Vojtěch Bradáč (Slavia Praha), Josef Ludl (Viktoria Zizkov), Oldřich Nejedlý (Sparta Praha)

Coach: Václav Meissner

Holland’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Note: Holland had two World Cup qualifiers in between the preparatory matches.

Date: Februrary 27, 1938

Venue : Rotterdam-De Kuip-Feyenoord Stadion

Attendance: 51,000

Referee: Thomas J. Thompson (England)

Holland 7-Belgium 2 (Kick Smit 41, 53, 65,74, Frank Wels 59, Leen Vente 79, Henk Van Spaandonck 83 / Raymond Braine 55, Bernard Voorhoof 68)

Holland: Adri van Male (Feijenoord), Mauk Weber (ADO Den Haag),

Bertus Caldenhove (DWS Amsterdam), Bas Paauwe (Feijenoord), Wim Anderiesen sr. (Ajax Amsterdam), Puck van Heel (Feijenoord), Frank Wels (GVV Unitas), Henk van Spaandonck (RV& AV Neptunus), Leen Vente (Feijenoord), Kick Smit (Haarlem), Kees Mijnders jr (DFC Dordrecht)

Coach: Bob Glendenning (England)

Date: May 21, 1938

Venue : Amsterdam -Olympisch Stadion

Attendance: 50,000

Referee: Charles E. Argent (England)

Holland 1-Scotland 3 (Leen Vente 86 / Andrew Black 52, Francis Murphy 57, Thomas Walker 69)

Holland: Adri van Male (Feijenoord), Mauk Weber (ADO Den Haag),

Bertus Caldenhove (DWS Amsterdam), Bas Paauwe (Feijenoord), Wim Anderiesen sr. (Ajax Amsterdam), Puck van Heel (Feijenoord), Frank Wels (GVV Unitas), Henk van Spaandonck (RV& AV Neptunus), Leen Vente (Feijenoord),Freek van der Veen (AVC Heracles) , Bertus de Harder (VUC Den Haag)

Coach: Bob Glendenning (England)

Hungary’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Note: Hungary had one World Cup qualifier (on March 25th) after these preparatory matches.

Date: January 9, 1938

Venue : Lisbon- Estadio Las Salesias- José Manuel Soares

Attendance: 10,000

Referee: Georges Capdeville (France)

Portugal 4-Hungary 0 (Espírito Santo 14,João Cruz 15,75, Soeiro Vasques 48)

Hungary:Antal Szabo (Hungária Budapest), Istvan Miklosi (Szurketaxi), Sandor Biró (Hungária Budapest), Janos Gyarmati (Szegedi AK), Jozsef Turay (Hungária Budapest) (Gyorgy Szücs (Újpest Budapest) 46^th), Janos Dudas (Hungária Budapest), Ferenc Sas (Hungária Budapest), Jeno Vincze (Újpest Budapest), Lipot Kallai (Újpest Budapest) (Lajos Szenrodi (Elektromos SE) 46^th), Gyula Zsengeller (Újpest Budapest), Pal Titkos (Hungária Budapest)

Coach: Dr. Karoly Dietz and Albert Schäffer

Date: January 16, 1938

Venue : Letzebuerg (Luxembourg)-Stade Municipal de Luxembourg

Attendance: 10,000

Referee: Peter J. (Peco) Bauwens (Germany)

Luxembourg 0-Hungary 6 (Lajos Szendrődi 13, 59 82, Lipot Kállai 73, Gyula Zsengellér 75 pen, Istvan Miklósi 80)

Hungary: Jozsef Ujvari (Hungária Budapest), Istvan Miklosi (Szurketaxi), Sandor Biró (Hungária Budapest), Janos Gyarmati (Szegedi AK), Gyorgy Szücs (Újpest Budapest), Janos Dudas (Hungária Budapest), Ferenc Sas (Hungária Budapest) (Gyula Zsengeller (Újpest Budapest) 40^th), Jeno Vincze (Újpest Budapest), Lajos Szenrodi (Elektromos SE), Lipot Kallai (Újpest Budapest), Pal Titkos (Hungária Budapest)

Coach: Dr. Karoly Dietz and Albert Schäffer

Date: March 20, 1938

Venue: Nürnberg-Altes Stadion

Attendance: 50,000

Referee: Johannes (John) Langenus (Belgium)

Germany 1-Hungary 1 (Otto Siffling 29 / Geza Toldi 49)

Hungary:Jozsef Hada (Ferencváros Budapest), Lajos Koranyi I (Ferencváros Budapest), Sandor Biró (Hungária Budapest), Sandor Pazmandy (Elektromos SE), Miklos Balogh II (Nemzeti Budapest), Istvan Balogh I (Újpest Budapest), Ferenc Pusztai (Újpest Budapest), Gyula Zsengeller (Újpest Budapest), Janos Kisalagi (Nemzeti Budapest), Geza Toldi (Ferencváros Budapest), Ferenc Horvath (Nemzeti Budapest)

Coach: Dr. Karoly Dietz and Albert Schäffer

Norway’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Date: May 31, 1938

Venue: Oslo-Ullevaal Stadion

Attendance: 19,200

Referee: Einar Lundström (Finland)

Norway 1-Estonia 0 (Arne Brustad 65)

Norway:Rolf Johannessen (Frederikstad), Øivind Holmsen (Lyn Ski), Kristian Henriksen (Lyn Ski), Nils Eriksen (Odds), Rolf Holmberg (Odds), Odd Frantzen (Hardy SK), Reidar Kvammen (Viking Stavanger), Alf Martinsen (Lillestrøm), Magnar Isaksen (Lyn Ski), Arne Brustad (Lyn Ski)

Coach: Asbjorn Halvorsen

Poland’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Note: Poland had one World Cup qualifier (on April 2^nd) in between the preparatory matches.

Date: March 13, 1938

Venue: Zürich –Hardturm Stadion

Attendance: 21,000

Referee: Rinaldo Barlassina (Italy)

Switzerland 3-Poland 3 (Lauro Amadó 32, 54, Andre ‘Trello’ Abbeglen 88 pen / Ernest Wilimowski 13, Jerzy Wostal 74, Leonard Piątek 85)

Poland: Edward Madejski (no club), Władysław Szczepaniak (captain) (Polonia Warszawa), Antoni Gałecki (LKS Lodz), Wilhelm Góra (Cracovia Kraków), Edward Nyc (Polonia Warszawa), Jerzy Piec (Naprzód Lipiny), Ryszard Piec (Naprzód Lipiny), Leonard Piątek (AKS Chorzów), Jerzy Wostal (AKS Chorzów), Ernest Wilimowski (Ruch Wielkie Hajduki Chorzów), Gerard Wodarz (Ruch Wielkie Hajduki Chorzów)

FA Captain: Józef Kałuża and Coach: Marian Spoida

Date: May 22, 1938

Venue: Warszawa (Warsaw), - Stadion Wojska Polskiego im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego (Polish Army)(Legia Warszawa)

Attendance: 25,000

Referee: Ferenc Májorszky (Hungary)

Poland 6-Irish Free State 0 (Jan Wasiewicz 12, Gerard Wodarz 21,78, Leonard Piątek 43, 52, Ernest Wilimowski 58)

Poland: Edward Madejski (no club), Władysław Szczepaniak (captain) (Polonia Warszawa), Antoni Gałecki (LKS Lodz), Wilhelm Góra (Cracovia Kraków), Jan Wasiewicz (LKS Pogon Lwów), Edward Dytko (Górniczy Dąb Katowice), Ryszard Piec (Naprzód Lipiny), Leonard Piątek (AKS Chorzów),Fryderyk Scherfke (Warta Poznan), Ernest Wilimowski (Ruch Wielkie Hajduki Chorzów), Gerard Wodarz (Ruch Wielkie Hajduki Chorzów)

FA Captain: Józef Kałuża and Coach: Marian Spoida

Romania’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Date: May 8, 1938

Neighbours Cup

Venue: Bucureşti, (Bucharest) -ANEF (Academia Nationala de Educatie Fizică)

Attendance: 20,000

Referee: Pál von Hertzka (Hungary)

Romania 0-Yugoslavia 1 (Jozo Matosic 28)

Romania: Nicolae Iordachescu (Venus Bucureşti) (Dumitru Pavlovici (Ripensia Timisoara) 46^th), Rudolf Burger (Ripensia Timisoara), Vasile Chiroiu (Ripensia Timisoara), Vintila Cossini (Rapid Bucureşti), Augustin Juhasz (CA Oradea), Gheorghe Brandabura (Juventus Bucureşti), Silviu Bindea (Ripensia Timisoara), Nicolae Kovaci (CA Oradea), Iuliu Bodola (captain) (Venus Bucureşti), Iuliu Prassler (AMEFA), Traian Iordache (Unirea Tricolor Bucureşti)

Coach: Alexandru Savulescu

Switzerland’s Preparatory matches/ Friendlies ahead of the World Cup:

Note: Switzerland had one World Cup qualifier (on May 1st) in between the preparatory matches.

Date: February 6, 1938

Venue: Köln (Cologne)- Müngersdorfer Stadion

Attendance: 78,000

Referee: Reginald George Rudd (England)

Germany 1-Switzerland 1 (Fritz Szepan 74 / Georges Aeby38)

Switzerland: Willy Huber (Grasshopper Zürich), Severino Minelli (Grasshopper Zürich), August Lehmann (Grasshopper Zürich), Hermann ‘Mandi’ Springer (Grasshopper Zürich), Sirio Vernati (Grasshopper Zürich), Ernest Lörtscher (Servette Genève), Alfred Bickel (Grasshopper Zürich), Fritz Wagner (Grasshopper Zürich), Lauro Amado (Lugano),

Eugène Walaschek (Servette Genève), Georges Aeby (Servette Genève)

Coach: Karl Rappan (Austria)

Note: In some sources Max Weiler is shown instead of August Lehmann.

Date: March 13, 1938

Venue: Zürich –Hardturm Stadion

Attendance: 21,000

Referee: Rinaldo Barlassina (Italy)

Switzerland 3-Poland 3 (Lauro Amadó 32, 54, Andre ‘Trello’ Abbeglen 88 pen / Ernest Wilimowski 13, Jerzy Wostal 74, Leonard Piątek 85)

Switzerland: Willy Huber (Grasshopper Zürich), Severino Minelli (Grasshopper Zürich), August Lehmann (Grasshopper Zürich), Hermann ‘Mandi’ Springer (Grasshopper Zürich), Sirio Vernati (Grasshopper Zürich), Ernest Lörtscher (Servette Genève), Alfred Bickel (Grasshopper Zürich), André ‘Trello’ Abegleen (Servette FC Genève), Lauro Amado (Lugano),

Eugène Walaschek (Servette Genève), Georges Aeby (Servette Genève)

Coach: Karl Rappan (Austria)

Date: April 3, 1938

Dr. Gerö Cup

Venue: Basel –Nordstern

Attendance: 20,000

Referee: Reginald George Rudd (England)

Switzerland 4-Czechoslovakia 0 (Numa Monnard 28, Tulio Grassi 30, Georges Aeby 39, Lauro Amado 80)

Switzerland: Willy Huber (Grasshopper Zürich), Severino Minelli (Grasshopper Zürich), Adolf Stelzer (Lausanne), Hermann ‘Mandi’ Springer (Grasshopper Zürich), Sirio Vernati (Grasshopper Zürich), Ernest Lörtscher (Servette Genève), Lauro Amado (Lugano), Eugène Walaschek (Servette Genève),Numa Monnard (Basel), Tulio Grassi (Lugano), Georges Aeby (Servette Genève)

Coach: Karl Rappan (Austria)

Date: May 8, 1938

Venue : Lausanne – Stade Olympique de la Pontaise

Attendance: 21,500

Referee: Raffaele Scorzoni (Italy)

Switzerland 0-Belgium 3 (Bernard Voorhoof 24, 84, Jean Capelle 77)

Switzerland: Renato Bizzozero (Lugano), Severino Minelli (Grasshopper Zürich), Adolf Stelzer (Lausanne-Sports), Hermann ‘Mandi’ Springer (Grasshopper Zürich), Sirio Vernati (Grasshopper Zürich), Ernest Lörtscher (Servette Genève), Lauro Amado (Lugano), Eugen Rupf (Grasshopper Zürich), Leopold Kilholz (Young Fellows Zürich), Eugène Walaschek (Servette Genève), Georges Aeby (Servette Genève)

Coach: Karl Rappan (Austria)

Date: May 21, 1938

Venue : Zürich –Hardturm Stadion

Attendance: 25,000

Referee: Peter J. (Peco) Bauwens (Germany)

Switzerland 2-England 1 (Georges Aeby 31, André ‘Trello’ Abegglen 70 pen / Cliff Bastin 33 pen)

Eugène Walaschek (Servette Genève), Alfred Bickel (Grasshopper Zürich), André ‘Trello’ Abegleen (Servette FC Genève), Georges Aeby (Servette Genève)

Coach: Karl Rappan (Austria)

I. First Round: June 4^th, 5^th and 9^th, 1938

-The World Cup opener between Germany and Switzerland took place on Saturday June 4^th, 1938. All the First Round matches took place on Sunday, June 5th, 1938.

The Replays took place on Thursday, June 9^th, 1938.

-French sports newspaper ‘L’Auto’ selected the following players as outstanding players for this round:

Goalkeeper: Aldo Olivieri (Italy), Frantisek Planicka (Czechoslovakia), Benito Carvajeles (Cuba)

Right back: Władysław Szczepaniak (Poland);

Left back: Antoni Gałecki (Poland), Bertus Caldenhove (Holland), Manuel Chorens (Cuba);

Right half: Wilhelm Antoni Góra(Poland), Josef Kostalek(Czechsolovakia), Jean Bastien (France), Joaquim Arias(Cuba);

Center Half: Auguste Jordan (France);

Left half: Raoul Diagne (France)

Right wing: Peracio (Brazil), Alfred Aston (France);

Inside forward: Romeu (Brazil), Bernard Voorhoof (Belgium);

Striker: Leonidas (Brazil), Knut Brynildsen(Norway), Silvio Piola (Italy);

Striker: Oldrich Nejedly (Czechsolovakia), Raymond Braine (Belgium), Geza Toldi (Hungary);

Left wing: Ernest Willimowski (Poland), Arne Brustad (Norway).

Germany 1-Switzerland 1

-Germany took on Switzerland on Saturday, June 4^th, 1938, at Paris’ Parc des PrincesStadium at 17:00 PM.

-The sides had met one another months before in a friendly on February 6^th, 1938 at Köln (1-1) tie.

-This World Cup opener was initially to be held at Strasbourg for Geographical reasons, but was switched to Paris because larger capacity stadium was required.

-Germany Manager Sepp Herberger made modifications to his preferred ‘Breslau-Elf’ squad by incorporating Austrian players.

Rudolf Raftl replaced Hans Jakob as goalkeeper.

Willibald Schmaus took Reinhold Munzenberg’s spot.

Hans Pesser was in the squad for the injured Adolf Urban.

Hans Mock also came in the side replacing Ludwig Goldbrunner.

Herberger also discarded his Captain Fritz Szepan for Wilhelm Hahnemann.

In all the side contained five Austrians to maintain the 6 to 5 ratio. In Szepan’s absence, the Austrian Mock captained the side.

Herberger employed a WM system.

-Switzerland’s Eugene Walaschek would receive his Swiss Ctizenship almost two weeks later on June 17^th, 1938. The Germans had protested his presence, but FIFA had given him a special authorization to play.

His father was Russian and mother Swiss and had already been living in Geneva.

-The 1930 World Cup Final Referee, the Belgian John Langenus, refereed the Match.

-The Swiss preparations were hampered by the fact that Grashoppers and Zurich had played as much as 6-7 matches going into the World Cup.

-The President of France, Albert Lebrun, gave the initial kick off of the World Cup.

-The Paris crowd was shocked to see the Germans’ Nazis salute prior to the kick-off and naturally the Swiss had the home support.

The protests continued and Bottles, eggs and tomatoes were thrown from the stands.

-Switzerland Captain Severino Minelli won the coin toss and chose to play his team facing away from the sun.

- Josef Gauchel gave Germany the lead in the 29^thminute, from Pesser’s cross. Pesser had been sent through on the left side by Kitzinger.

- Andre Abegglen headed in the equalizer for the Swiss in the 43^rd minute from a cross by Lauro Amado (in some sources Walaschek) that was missed by Raftl.

-Germany’s Hans Pesser was sent off in Overtime in the 96^th minute. He was sent off for kicking Severino Minelli in the knee.

-The result was tied at the end of regulation, so that match went into extra-time.

The score remained unchanged after extra-time, therefore a replay was necessitated that was scheduled for June 9^th.

-The match was followed live by the majority of the Nation on Swiss Radio.

-The Takeaway from this match was Germany had perhaps been overestimated.

The Germans had been named as one of the favorites but their performance reminded them of the road ahead. The Swiss were capable adversaries and many reminded how they had defeated England just prior to the World Cup. This had been a physical and tough match.

The Germans still struggled after incorporating the Austrians that many felt were forced to do because of political considerations and there was a clear lack of understanding within the new teammates.

The Nazi salute and the public’s reaction was an indication of the things to come.

According to "Paris-Soir",

"The Germans have played better Football, they have even wanted to play some games, but they were able to win, but the Germans deserved to win. ":

"The unity between the attack that is going on in the old East German school and the defense with the style of the former German team has not yet been established. The German team was missing from a real strategist who could have been capable to build the game and start attacks.”

"Most of the crimes were inflicted by the Swiss, who played with an exaggerated zeal and zeal, and they had the effect of gaining control by means of the cessation of their opponents Was very lenient, and he did not give at least one team for the German team. "

Photo From: Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989

(Team Captains, June 4, 1938, World Cup, Germany 1-Switzerland 1)

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Team formations, June 4, 1938, World Cup, Germany 1-Switzerland 1)

Photo From: IFFHS, Schweiz,Suisse, Svizzera (1905-1940)

(Both squads with the Germans making the Nazi salute, June 4, 1938, World Cup, Germany 1-Switzerland 1)

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(June 4, 1938, World Cup, Germany 1-Switzerland 1)

Photo From: IFFHS, Schweiz,Suisse, Svizzera (1905-1940)

(June 4, 1938, World Cup, Germany 1-Switzerland 1)

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(June 4, 1938, World Cup, Germany 1-Switzerland 1)

Photo From: Le Petit Parisien, 5 June 1938

(Germans celebrating after scoring, June 4, 1938, World Cup, Germany 1-Switzerland 1)

Photo From: Schulze-Marmeling D. - Die Geschichte der Fussball-Weltmeisterschaft

(The Germans resting before overtime, June 4, 1938, World Cup, Germany 1-Switzerland 1)

Brazil 6-Poland 5

-Brazil took on Poland, on Sunday, June 5^th, 1938, at Strasbourg’s ‘La Meinau’ Stadium at 17:00 PM. (17:30 PM in another source)

-The two sides had never met one another before in International play.

This was Poland’s first ever match in the World Cup and their first ever match vs. South American opposition.

-Poland would face Brazil in its next World Cup in 1974 as well (In addition to the 1978 and 1986 Editions).

Photo From: Bialo Czerwoni 1921-2001, Author Andrzej Gowarzewski

(Team captains, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 6-Poland 5)

-It has been said that in the audience that day was the mother of Guy Roux, future French Manager of Auxerre. She was pregnant with him that day. Guy Roux was born a few months later on October 18, 1938 at Colmar.

Photo From: Panini, France 1986/87

(Guy Roux)

-This match was originally planned to be held at Toulouse but was later switched to Strasbourg.

-Poland had only arrived in France on June 3^rd. They had been in a 36-hour train ride from Warsaw.

-Leonardo Gagliano Netto (1911-1974), of Radio Cruzeiro do Sul, made the first transmission to Brazil of a World Cup match by Radio.

-Poland played in white uniforms. Brazil, by force of a lottery, had to enter the field with pale blue shirts and blue-flag shorts. It was the only time that the Brazil National Team entered the field without a badge in the chest.

-Brazil took to the field with six debutants.

Photo From: Seleccao Brasileira -90 Anos 1914-2004, Authors Antonio Carlos Napoleao, Roberto Assaf

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 6-Poland 5)

-It had been raining the day before and the field was heavy.

-Leonidas scored first in the 18^th minute after a pass from Hercules.

In the 23^rd minute, Domingos da Guia fouled Wodarz in the box and Scherfke tied the match through a penalty kick. (Note: in another source it is stated that Machado committed the foul).

Romeu scored for Brazil just two minutes later and just before halftime Peracio gave Brazil a (3-1) lead after a cross from Lopez.

In the second half, rain started pouring and Ernest Willimowski and Poland came to life in the second half. He scored two goals in the 53^rd and 59^thminutes to tie up the match.

Peracio gave Brazil the lead one more time in the 71^st minute.

Ernest Willimowski tied the match up for Poland just before the end. The match went into extra-time.

The rain stopped and sun came out in the extra time.

Just three minutes into extra-time, Leonidas grabbed his second goal.

In the 104^th minute, Leonidas scored his third and Brazil’s sixth.

Ernest Willimowski scored once more for Poland just before the end but that was not enough and Brazil were victorious (6-5)

Photo From: Placar Especial 2006

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 6-Poland 5)

-It was reported that when Leonidas scored in the 93^rdminute, it was without his right boot, which had broken at the seam. The boot had gone out of his foot when he kicked, and in the next play he scored.

By regulation this goal should not have stood, the Referee Ivan Eklind had not noticed because of the muddy conditions.

The following week, in a Parisian Football magazine it was written that Ivan Eklind after noticing Leonidas was playing with one shoe only, had proceeded correctly to ask Leonidas to leave the Field and wear a new one.

In other sources, it is said that Leonidas threw both his boots of the field and wanted to play barefoot before being told otherwise.

The Folha de Manha newspaper from São Paulo was more precise, reporting that Leonidas had dropped his boot "just after the fifth Brazilian goal."

And CBD officials also announced in the locker room that the bonus would be paid in double.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13682, June 6, 1938

(Leonidas, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 6-Poland 5)

-Ernest Willimowski became the first ever player to score four goals in a match in the World Cup finals as well as the first one to score four goals in a match in a losing effort.

-For decades, it was reported that Leonidas had scored four goals in this match just like Willimowski, however, this has since been revised and he is credited with three goals. (Peracio’s goal in the 71^st minute had been credited to Leonidas)

Due to this, Leonidas was for decades thought to be the first ever player to score four goals in a Group phase match (beating Willimowski by minutes).

-In a show of sportsmanship, Poland sent Brazil a good luck telegram before their next match.

-The Takeaway from this match was that Brazil were a force to be reckoned with at the International stage after disappointing in the previous two.

Their attack was impressive with Leonidas ‘the Black Diamond’ as its star.

Adhemar Pimenta would be criticized for his lack of tactical knowledge. He was still using the Pyramid formation (2-3-5) that left the defense vulnerable.

In the "Kicker" , the Brazilians were described as: "Glam-playing players, acrobats, but no tacticians."

French sports newspaper ‘L’Auto’ as outstanding players for this round the following players from this match:

Brazil: Peracio, Romeu, Leonidas

Poland: Władysław Szczepaniak, Antoni Gałecki, Wilhelm Antoni Góra, Ernest Willimowski

Photo From: History of the World Cup, Author Michael Archer

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 6-Poland 5)

Cuba 3-Romania 3

-Cuba and Romania faced one another, on Sunday, June 5^th, 1938, at Toulouse’s Stade Chapou at 17:00 PM.

-Both teams had qualified to the World Cup via walkovers.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Team captains, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Cuba 3-Romania 3)

-Romania took the lead in the 35^th minute through Silviu Bindea.

Cuba tied the match just before halftime through Hector Socorro from a pass by Jose Magriñá.

In the 69^th minute, Jose Magriñá gave Cuba the lead (2-1)

Iuliu Baratki tied the match in the 88^th minute.

The match had to go to extra-time. Hector Socorro scored Cuba’s third in the 103^rd minute. Just two minutes later, Stefan Dobay tied the match for Romania.

The match ended as a (3-3) tie and a replay was needed, scheduled for Thursday, June 9^th, 1938.

-The Takeaway from this match was the Romanians were more experienced and tactically superior. The Cubans, on the other hand, were faster and had an excellent goalkeeper in Benito Carvajeles.

Benito Carvajeles was the star of this match.

The next day, the French newspapers felt that Romania had narrowly escaped elimination, but predicted that the scare would certainly cause the Romanians to face the playoff in a more serious manner.

The French sports newspaper ‘L’Auto’ selected three Cubans as outstanding players for this round: Benito Carvajeles, Manuel Chorens and Joaquim Arias.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13682, June 6, 1938

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Cuba 3-Romania 3)

Czechoslovakia 3-Holland 0

-Czechoslovakia faced Holland, on Sunday, June 5^th, 1938, at Le Havre’s ‘Stade de la Cevée Verte’ Stadium at 17:00 PM. (18:00 PM in another source)

-Puck van Heel won the coin toss and decided to play with the sun in the back.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13681, June 5, 1938

(Team formations, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Czechoslovakia 3-Holland 0)

-The match was scoreless after 90 minutes and had to o to extra-time.

Holland’s Freek van der Veen had sprained his ankle and had to leave the field when extra-time resumed. Czechoslovakia had a one-man advantage in the extra-time.

Just three minutes into the overtime, Czechoslovakia took the lead through Josef Kostalek after an error by van Male.

In the 111^th minute, 1934 top goalscorer Oldrich Nejedly scored Czechoslovakia’s second goal.

Just before the end in the 118^th minute, Josef Zeman scored Czechoslovakia’s third.

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(Team Captains, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Czechoslovakia 3-Holland 0)

-The takeaway from this match was that Holland played better in the first half-hour. Kick Smit and Freek van der Veen were carrying injuries and their selection was criticized.

With one less man (van der Veen left the field) and Smit ineffectual, the Dutch were overpowered by Czechoslovakia in overtime.

The scoreline did not reflect the fact that Czechoslovakia and Holland were even for most of the encounter.

French sports newspaper ‘L’Auto’ as outstanding players for this round the following players from this match:

Czechoslovakia: Frantisek Planicka, JosefKostalek, and Oldrich Nejedly

Holland: Bertus Caldenhove

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(Czechoslovakia and Holland squad, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Czechoslovakia 3-Holland 0)

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Czechoslovakia 3-Holland 0)

Photo From: Paris Soir, 7 June 1938

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Czechoslovakia 3-Holland 0)

France 3-Belgium 1

- The hosts France and Belgium faced one another, on Sunday, June 5^th, 1938, at Paris’‘Stade de Colombes’ Stadium at 17:00 PM.

-The sides had met one another months before on January 30^th, 1938 at Paris. France had won (5-3).

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13681, June 5, 1938

(Team formations, June 5, 1938, World Cup, France 3-Belgium 1)

-Emile Veinante opened the scoring for France after just 35 seconds. Badjou had parried Nicolas’s shot and Veinante scored from the rebound.

Veinante lost his wristband in the action and was seen looking for it.

France continued attacking for the next 10 minutes.

Jean Nicolas doubled the lead in the 11^th minute after a pass from Delfour.

Hendrik Isemborghs pulled a goal back for Belgium in the 19^th minute, taking advantage of an error by Cazenave.

Jean Nicolas scored his second and France’s third in the 69^thminute. Aston had evaded Seys and crossed for Nicolas to score.

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(both squads, June 5, 1938, World Cup, France 3-Belgium 1)

Photo From: L'Equipe Magazine, Issue 837, April 25, 1998

(Team entering field, June 5, 1938, World Cup, France 3-Belgium 1)

-For the end of the first half and the first twenty minutes of the second half, Belgium took control and came close to tying the match.

-This was one of the only two matches (the other being Hungary-Dutch East Indies) from the first round that did not go into over-time.

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire

(Team Captains, June 5, 1938, World Cup, France 3-Belgium 1)

-Belgium’s Charley Van Den Wouwer had forgotten his identity card. He was taken to a police station in Paris, to verify his identity.

-On the following day, Mario Zatelli and Ben Bouala (France’s two Marseille players), who had not played in the match, had broken curfew and arrived late in the morning back to the camp. They had spent the night at ‘Chez Odette’, a cabaret in Paris. They were directly taken to see Victor Mestre, who fined each 2,000 Francs.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, France 3-Belgium 1)

-The takeaway from this match was that France had won without much difficulty. However, the consensus was that there were still not an excellent side and would struggle against better opposition.

According to Gabriel Hanot, in the first half Veinante had been ‘transcendent’, while in the second half, Aston had been ‘merveilleuse’.

French sports newspaper ‘L’Auto’ as outstanding players for this round the following players from this match:

France: Jean Bastien, Auguste Jordan, Raoul Diagne, and Alfred Aston

Belgium: Bernard Voorhoof, Raymond Braine

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, France 3-Belgium 1)

I. First Round: June 4^th, 5^th and 9^th, 1938 (Continued)

Hungary 6-Dutch East Indies 0

-Hungary faced the Dutch East Indies, on Sunday, June 5^th, 1938, at Reims’ ‘Stade Velodrome Municipal’ Stadium at 17:00 PM.

-This was one of the only two matches (the other being France-Belgium) from the first round that did not go into over-time.

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(Press Pass, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 6-Dutch East Indies 0)

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13681, June 5, 1938

(Team formations, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 6-Dutch East Indies 0)

-The Dutch East Indies selection was made up of locals and Dutch and Chinese immigrants.

They had first arrived in Marseille. They were greeted by FIFA and French Federation officials and then traveled to Paris via train.

From there they took the train to Amsterdam to visit the ‘mother country’.

They watched the Holland –Scotland Friendly (1-3 for the Scots) on May 21^st, 1938.

Afterwards they traveled to Reims for the encounter vs. Hungary.

-Dutch East Indies’ Captain Achwad Nawir (1911-April 1995) wore glasses during the match.

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(Dutch East Indies squad, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 6-Dutch East Indies 0)

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(Team captains, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 6-Dutch East Indies 0)

-The Hungarians would open the scoring in the 13^thminute through Vilmos Kohut from a pass by Toldi.

They would double the lead just two minutes later by GezaToldi from a pass by Zsengeller.

Hungary Captain Gyorgy Sarosi scored Hungary’s third in the 28^th minute from a pass by Zsengeller.

Gyula Zsengeller headed in Hungary’s fourth in the 35^th minute.

Zsengeller would score his second and Hungary’s fifth in the 76^th minute,

Gyorgy Sarosi rounded out the scoring just before the end by scoring his second and Hungary’s sixth.

Photo From: Гольдес И.- История чемпионатов мира 1930-1962+

(Hungary squad, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 6-Dutch East Indies 0)

-"Kicker" magazine estimated that every single kick of the Indonesians had cost a few hundred marks, for the ninety minutes of their only game, they had traveled for half a thousand dollars to half the globe.

-The Takeaway from this match was that the Dutch East Indies were no match for the more experienced and powerful Hungarians.

This was the most lopsided match of the first round and served as nothing more than a training exercise for the Hungarians.

French sports newspaper ‘L’Auto’ as outstanding players for this round the following player from this match:

Hungary: Geza Toldi

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 6-Dutch East Indies 0)

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 6-Dutch East Indies 0)

Italy 2-Norway 1

-Italy faced the Norway, on Sunday, June 5^th, 1938, at Marseille’s‘Stade Municipal’ Stadium at 17:00 PM.

-The venue for this match had originally been planned for Antibes but was later switched to Marseille.

-This was the first ever time ever that a team as a defending Champion was took the field in the following World Cup. (Since Uruguay had refused to participate in the 1934 Edition).

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13680, June 4, 1938

(Team formations, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Norway 1)

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(Team Captains, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Norway 1)

-Italy lined up three World Cup winners from 1934: Giuseppe Meazza, Giovanni Ferrari and Eraldo Monzeglio.

They became the first World Cup winners to play in another World Cup.

* Repetitions from a previous entry in the blog relevant to 1938:

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2015/07/new-addition-politics-and-game-part-one.html

Pre-War Italy Manager Vittorio Pozzo used the politics of the day to his advantage to motivate his squad.

During the 1938 World Cup in France, he was well aware that many Italians that had fled Mussolini’s fascism had settled there.

Before Italy’s Opening match at Marseille vs. Norway on June 5, 1938 (Italy2 –Norway 1), he knew that some of the expatriate Italians in the Stadium would jeer the Italian national Anthem, specially the customary fascist salute.

He instructed his players to maintain their salute (their arms held up) until all the jeering and heckling had subsided. This way he believed he instilled in them patriotic fervor for the match.

It is unclear if he himself was a fascist, many observers do not believe so, though his methods and training regimen seemed dictatorial.

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(Italy squad, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Norway 1)

Photo From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978

(Both squads, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Norway 1)

-Italy took the lead in the second minute through Pietro Ferraris II. Norway goalkeeper Henry Johansen was unable to hold Giovanni Ferrari’s shot and Ferraris II scored.

Arne Brustad tied the match for Norway in the 83^rd minute from a pass by Knut Brynildsen.

Three minutes later, Arne Brustad scored another goal before the end that was ruled out offside.

The protests lasted about ten minutes. The Referee Alois Beranek voided the goal after consulting with his linesman.

Aldo Olivieri made another brilliant save from Knut Brynildsen just before the end.

The match remained tied and had to go to overtime.

In the 94^th minute, Silvio Piola gave Italy the winner, picking up a rebound from a shot by Pasinati.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Diagram of Silvio Piola’s goal, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Norway 1)

-The result was almost identical to Italy’s win in the 1936 Olympics vs. the same adversary (2-1 after overtime). In fact Brustad had also scored a late equalizer in that match after Italy had taken an early lead.

-At one point in the match after Olivieri had made a nice save on one of Knut Brynildsen’s efforts, the Norwegian went and shook Olivieri’s hand in a sign of good sportsmanship.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 988 (Number 12),March 23-29, 1994

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Norway 1)

-The Offside decision became a talking point especially in the annals of Norwegian Football.

Reidar Kvammen, who was very close to the action, said the only people who thought it was offside were the referee and linesman.

Arne Brustad stated: "We were almost shocked by the irreconcilable decision."

Nils Eriksen believes that the best evidence that it could not be offside is that the referee approved a somewhat similar situation from Brustad earlier in the match.

-The Norway were applauded off the pitch by the French fans (due to the injustice of the offside call, as well Political reasons), while the Italians received a cold reception coming off the pitch.

Photo From: Landslaget, Det Norske Fotballandslagets Historie, authors Egil Olsen, Arne Scheie,Per Jorsett, Otto Ulseth, 1997

(Norway Newspaper headline, June 5, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Norway 1)

-After win over Norway, Pozzo had asked his players the reason for the difficulties.

Meazza had responded it’s because they have been training too long in the training camp and therefore need some free time.

Pozzo understood and gave his players some free time.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(A cartoon showing Vittorio Pozzo and Giuseppe Meazza)

-The Takeaway from this match was that this was Italy’s most difficult match in the World Cup and were given quite a scare. The Italian woodwork was struck three times.

They had 16 shots, twice as Italy.

French newspaper ‘Le Petit Provençal’ wrote, "The best team lost, but the Norwegian players made an advertisement for sifting lands that will never be forgotten by the leading Frenchmen".

Some criticisms were leveled for the Austrian (now German) referee Beranek had favored Italy because Germany and Italy were allies.

After World War II, Brustad would claim that Beranek was far from the action and could not have seen and said, "No one can therefore directly say that the judge deliberately took away the victory."

Italian goalkeeper Aldo Olivieri was praised for his performance in goal.

Norway forward Knut Brynildsen gave Andreolo a difficult time.

This was perhaps Norway’s best team in history up to that point (before the 90s with Egil Olsen) that had built upon the success of the 1936 Olympics.

For Italian Manager Vittorio Pozzo, this match showcased some of his side’s weaknesses and changes would be made.

1934 World Cup champions Eraldo Monzeglio would be discarded for the rest of the Tournament, along with the likes of Piero Pasinati and Pietro Ferraris II (despite scoring). They would be replaced with Foni, Biavati and Colaussi.

French sports newspaper ‘L’Auto’ as outstanding players for this round the following player from this match:

Italy: Aldo Olivieri

Norway: Knut Brynildsen, Arne Brustad

Photo From: Гольдес И.- История чемпионатов мира 1930-1962+ (14)

(June 5, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Norway 1)

Austria -Sweden

-Austria and Sweden had been scheduled to face one another at Lyon’s ‘Stade Municipal’ on June 5^th, 1938.

The Match did not take place as Austria had withdrawn from the World Cup, following the Anschluss on March 12^th, 1938.

Lyon one of the designated venues did not get to stage any matches as a result.

Sweden directly qualified to the Quarterfinals on a walkover.

-Officially Austria were said to "have not appeared to play", as the term walkover was still not in use.

Cuba 2-Romania 1

-Cuba and Romania faced one another for a replay, on Thursday, June 9^th, 1938, at Toulouse’s ‘Parc des sports du TOEC’ at 18:00 PM.

-In a big surprise, Cuba had dropped its goalkeeper Benito Carvajeles. Juan Ayra took his place in the goal.

The Cubans his replacement Ayra was even better.

Carvajales commented the match on Cuban radio.

-Romania had also dropped their goalkeeper Dumitru Pavlovici from the first match. Robert Sadowsky started in goal.

Romania made five more changes. Vasile Chiroiu, Vintila Cossini, Silviu Bindea, Nicolae Kovaci and Iuliu Bodola were dropped in favor of Iacob Felecan, Andrei Barbulescu, Ionica Bogdan, Ioachim Moldoveanu and Iuliu Prassler.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13686, June 10, 1938

(June 9, 1938, World Cup, Cuba 2-Romania 1)

-Romania took the lead through Stefan Dobay in the 35^th minute.

Hector Socorro tied the match for Cuba in the 50^th minute.

In the 57^th minute, Tomas Fernández scored Cuba’s winner. The French Linesman believed the winner was offside but Match Referee Alfred Birlem validated it.

-The Takeaway from this match was that Cuba’s gamble to switch goalkeeper paid off as Ayra also made many important saves. (at least eight in one report).

Romania’s mass overhaul of its lineup did not have the desired effect.

Match Referee Birlem felt that “the Cuban Amateurs won because they were more realistic than the Romanian Professionals without any flair and sure of themselves.”

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta
(Cuba squad, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Cuba 2-Romania 1)
Note: unclear whether this is from the first match or replay, but in most sources it is the replay squad

Germany 2-Switzerland 4

-Germany took on Switzerland for their replay on Thursday, June 9^th, 1938, at Paris’ Parc des Princes Stadium at 18:00 PM.

-Herberger made five changes for Germany form the first match. Willibald Schmaus, Hans Mock, Albin Kitzinger, Rudolf Gellesch, Josef Gauchel and Hans Pesser (sent off in first encounter) were off the squad.

In their place came in: Jakob Streitle, Ludwig Goldbrunner, Stefan Skoumal, Josef Stroh, Fritz Szepan and Leopold Neumer.

-Switzerland named an unchanged squad from the first encounter.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13685, June 9, 1938

(Team formations, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(Team captains, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

-Germany took the lead in the 8^th minute through Willi Hahnemann from a pass by Lehner.

The Germans doubled the lead in the 22^ndminute after Ernest Lörtscher scored an own goal. Szepan’s free kick was passed to Neumer whose shot hit the post and the ball deflected off of Ernest Lörtscher into the net.

EugèneWalaschek pulled a goal back for the Swiss just before halftime in the 42^ndminute from a pass by Abegglen.

Georges Aeby was receiving treatment on the sidelines for a head wound (after a collision with Goldbrunner), therefore from the 43^rd to 60^th minute, Switzerland played with one less man until Aeby went back on.

Alfred Bickel tied the match for the Swiss in the 64^thminute from a cross by Aeby.

Andre Abegglen gave Switzerland the lead in the 75^thminute after being put through by Amado (very close to offside position).

Three minutes later, in the 78^th minute, Abegglen scored his second and Switzerland’s fourth goal.

Photo From: IFFHS, Schweiz,Suisse, Svizzera (1905-1940)

(June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

Photo From: IFFHS, Schweiz,Suisse, Svizzera (1905-1940)

(Switzerland squad, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

-It was said that between the first match and this replay, the Germans had went back to Aachen. The reasoning was that the Germans Authorities had not wanted its squad to spend money beyond their borders.

-The Takeaway was that just like the first encounter this replay confirmed that the Germans had been hyped. In addition, the integration of the Austrians into the squad had not strengthened them but in fact unsettled an already settled German squad.

The policy of 6 to 5 ratio was not rational in molding a team.

Once again the crowd was hostile to the Germans for political reasons.

The French Football Newspaper ‘Football’ commented “in terms of Football the Anschluss was not realized, and will not any time soon..”

The victory had political overtones given the time and the French crowd celebrated this Swiss victory.

For Swiss Football, this is considered as one of their greatest victories of their Football History.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13686, June 10, 1938

(June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

Germans complained of match referee Ivan Eklind, who waved off a penalty appeal and missed an offside position before the Swiss equalizer.

Afterwards Herberger stated “"We have lost ourselves in a raging cauldron in which all had conspired against us. Believe me, it was a terrible battle, it was no longer a game".

"Neue Zfircher Zeitung" newspaper wrote:" The Fussball match Switzerland-Germany had aroused interest in the sports circles, and its remarkable course may be recorded under the political heading because of the psychological reaction to the Parisian public. "

Swiss Manager Karl Rappan stated “I think all of those who have encouraged the National Team during the World Cup, by giving the team a fantastic moral strength. The two matches against Germany, in my opinion, are not the peak of this Swiss squad. I believe it can do better in the future, as long as we are encouraged as we were and work in the same manner and spirit.”

Andre Abegglen said “For once, the Swiss people lived for the sport, for once, the Swiss felt that they had one Nationality. We achieved the results with the moral aid received from the Nation. We have beaten the Great Germany, which was an unexpected success, but all the Swiss Sportsmen were behind us. I would ask them why do you not do it more often, and not only for Footballers but all athletes. Why does the public wait for a good result to applaud instead of supporting the team from the start? We have shown that if we were supported we can do something. The road is set and this popular enthusiasm will renew. I would like the public to encourage the athletes even if they do not like them. There is no personal interest but a Swiss Nationality to defend. Period.”

Photo From: Die Nati, Die Geschichte der Schweizer Fussball-Nationalmanschaft, author Beat Jung, 2006

(Newspaper headline, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(The two squads at the end of match, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(Streitle after the match, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

Photo From: L'Equipe de Suisse, Authors Guy Balibouse, Roger Felix, Pierre Tripod, 1993

(Swiss celebrations, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Germany 2-Switzerland 4)

II. Quarterfinals: June 12^th, 14^th, 1938

Brazil 1-Czechoslovakia 1

-Brazil and Czechoslovakia faced one another, on Sunday, June 12^th, 1938, at Bordeaux’s ‘Parc de Lescure’ at 17:00 PM.

-This match marked the inauguration of Bordeaux’s Parc de Lescure.

-Both teams traveled long distances by train to get to the venue. Czechoslovakia traveled from Le Havre (more than 300 miles). The Brazilians traveled from Strasbourg (470 miles and 12 hours).

Photo From: Гольдес И.- История чемпионатов мира 1930-1962+

(Team captains, June 12, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 1-Czechoslovakia 1)

Photo From: Le Petit Parisien, 13 June 1938

(Team Formations, June 12, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 1-Czechoslovakia 1)

- Brazil’s Zezé Procópio was sent off in the 14^thminute after kicking Nejedly.

Leonidas gave Brazil the lead in the 30^th minute.

Czechoslovakia tied the match in the 65^th minute through a penalty kick by Oldrich Nejedly, awarded after a handball by Domingos Da Guia.

Brazil’s Machado II and Czechoslovakia’s Jan Riha were sent off in the 89^th minute after fighting with one another.

Afonsinho took Machado’s place in defense.

The match ended as a tie in regulation and went into extra-time. At the end of extra-time the score remained unchanged and a replay was needed.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 988 (Number 12),March 23-29, 1994

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 1-Czechoslovakia 1)

-Leonidas was constantly fouled by the Czechoslovakia defense.

-Czechoslovakia goalkeeper Frantisek Planicka played more than half and hour with an injured collarbone.

Near the end of the match, Nejedly fractured his leg after a collision with Peracio.

Josef Košťálek would be injured in the stomach.

-The Takeaway from this match was that this was the most violent match of this World Cup with three sending offs and left many players injured for the replay.

It would be called ‘The Battle of Bordeaux’.
It would be the only match in the quarterfinal round to go into overtime and forced a replay.

Photo From: Le Petit Parisien, 13 June 1938

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 1-Czechoslovakia 1)

France 1-Italy 3

-France and Italy faced one another, on Sunday, June 12^th, 1938, at Paris’ ‘Stade Colombes’ at 17:00 PM.

-As the French were the home side, they wore blue jerseys. Italy wore an all black strip.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 988 (Number 12),March 23-29, 1994

(Team captains, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire

(Team captains, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

-Vittorio Pozzo made some changes from the previous match. Alfredo Foni replaced Eraldo Monzeglio in defense.

Amedeo Biavati replaced Pasinati in the right wing. Gino Colaussi replaced Ferraris II in the left wing.

Photo From: Le Petit Parisien, 11 June 1938,

(Cartoon previewing match, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13688, June 12, 1938

(Team formation, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

-The French named an unchanged side.

-France’s Hector Cazenave and Italy’s Michele Andreolo were both Uruguay-born who became naturalized citizens for their respective teams.

-Luigi Colaussi gave Italy the lead in the 9^th minute. He lobbed the ball in the goal are and Di Lorto crashed into the post as he was attempting to save and it went in.

Just a minute later, Oscar Heisserer tied the match up for France from a pass by Veinante.

Silvio Piola gave Italy the lead in the 52^nd minute from pass by Biavati from the right side.

Silvio Piola scored his second and Italy’s third in the 72^nd minute by heading in a cross from Biavati.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Both squads, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 988 (Number 12),March 23-29, 1994

(Italy squad, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

* Repetitions from a previous entry in the blog relevant to 1938:

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2015/12/politics-and-game-part-three.html
France and Italy Match 1938 World Cup
Italy and hosts France were to play one another during the Second Round of the 1938 World Cup in Paris (June 12, 1938, France 1-Italy 3).

Naturally, the Italians (under Benito Mussolini) expected a hostile reaction from the local fans, not to mention all the exiled Italians living in France.

Both teams wore Blue as their primary colors, it has been said lots were drawn to see who would wear blue and the French won. (Although perhaps as the host country, they already had that option).

The Italians could have worn their away strip of white, but it has been suggested that Mussolini himself wanted the Italians to wear their all Black jerseys to taunt the crowd and evoke memories of Fascist Black shirts.

Note: The Italians had already worn these black shirts weeks prior in a friendly (May 22, 1938, Italy 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(teams entering field, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(View of the stadium, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

-Raoul Diagne would decades later in an interview reveal that at halftime, Auguste Jordan had asked for a change of tactics to a WM formation. He felt he was marking Meazza and Piola simultaneously and was therefore exposed.

Etienne Mattler was the only player to oppose this idea, as he had never man-marked and his veto scrapped the idea.

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

-It was reported that Raoul Diagne smoked a cigarette at halftime.

-The takeaway from this match was the French hosts were no match for the better-prepared Italians.

This was the game with the largest audience and the largest Gate Receipts of the 1938 World Cup.

For the first time in World Cup History, the host Nation would not win the World Cup.

Pozzo appeared to have found his settled side that would go on and triumph.

Silvio Piola was the main difference between the sides.

The French press named Piola, "Bourreau des Français".

At the end the French applauded the deserving Italian victors even though they had booed them at the start for political reasons.

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(A cartoon showing about France’s defeat, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: Le Petit Parisien, 13 June 1938

(A cartoon showing French Captain Mattler being told of the record receipts, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

Photo From: Le Petit Parisien, 15 June 1938

(A cartoon showing Silvio Piola and Jean Nicolas, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)

II. Quarterfinals: June 12^th, 14^th, 1938 (Continued)

Hungary 2-Switzerland 0

-Hungary and Switzerland faced one another, on Sunday, June 12^th, 1938, at Lille’s ‘Stade Victor Boucquey’ at 17:00 PM.

-The Swiss were missing the injured Captain Severino Minelli and Georges Aeby.

Abegglen captained in Minelli’s absence (in some sources August Lehmann was referred as the Captain).

Photo From: IFFHS, Schweiz,Suisse, Svizzera (1905-1940)

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 2-Switzerland 0)

-The Hungarian Manager Dr. Karoly Dietz had promised to walk back to Budapest had Hungary lost.

-Hungary took the lead in the 40^th minute through Captain Gyorgy Sarosi.

Sarosi had crossed into the box, Ernest Lörtscher and Gyula Zsengeller battled for the ball. Swiss goalkeeper Willy Huber fell and Sarosi took advantage to score.

Gyula Zsengeller scored Hungary’s second goal just before the end from a pass from Kohut (or Sas in another source).

In some sources Gyula Zsengeller is credited with both goals.

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 2-Switzerland 0)

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13688, June 12, 1938

(Team formations, June 12, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 2-Switzerland 0)

-The takeaway from this match was that for the Swiss the replay with Germany had tired the players out.

In addition, key players such as Minelli and Aeby were injured in the replay. Adolf Stelzer and Tulio Grassi replaced them in the lineup.

The Hungarians were technically superior.

Abegglen felt “Without these heavy games a few days before, we had defeated the Hungarians,"

Eugène Walaschek also echoed that sentiment by saying that “the two matches vs. Germany tired us out. Despite the all the encouragement that we received through letters and telegrammes, we did not have the strength to defend our chances against Hungary that we might have otherwise. I am convinced that had we been properly rested in the quarterfinal, we could have won the match because the Hungarians were certainly not as strong as the Germans”.

Upon returning home, Karl Rappan resigned as National Team Manager of Switzerland, as a protest against the overcrowded league calendar that he felt had disturbed the World Cup preparations.

Rappan’s system was based on a defensive system, which have rise to the Catenaccio.

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 2-Switzerland 0)

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 2-Switzerland 0)

Sweden 8-Cuba 0

-Sweden and Cuba faced one another, on Sunday, June 12^th, 1938, at Antibes’ ‘Stade du Fort Carré’ at 17:00 PM.

-The Swedes had directly acceded to the quarterfinals following Austria’s withdrawal.

They traveled by plane from Malmo to Paris to Antibes.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13687, June 11, 1938

(Team formations, June 12, 1938, World Cup, Sweden 8-Cuba 0)

-Swedish debutant Harry Andersson opened the scoring in the 9^th minute.

Swedish goalkeeper Henock Abrahamsson (earning his first cap) saved a penalty kick by Tomas Fernandez in the 42^ndminute. On the counterattack following this save, Gustav Wetterström scored for Sweden.

-The sequence of goals in the most accurate sources is as follows:

Harry Andersson 9^th, 81^st, 89^th, Gustav Wetterström 22^nd, 37^th, 44^th, Tore Keller 80^th, Arne Nyberg 84^th

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, Sweden 8-Cuba 0)

-The Takeaway from this match that it was a mismatch between a more experienced (and well rested) European against an inexperienced and tired Central American side that had ran out of steam.

Various sources show different sequence for the goalscorers. Gustav Wetterström is shown to have scored four goals instead of three in older sources.

The physical strain on the Cubans was reflected as they gave up four goals in the last ten minutes.

It has been reported in one source that on their way back, through New York City, the Cubans watches boxer Joe Louis knock out Max Schmeling.

French journalist, Emmanuel Gambardella, closed his typewriter with the words: "Up to five goals, it's the journalism, beyond that it becomes statistics."

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(June 12, 1938, World Cup, Sweden 8-Cuba 0)

June 14^th, 1938

Brazil 2-Czechoslovakia 1

-Brazil and Czechoslovakia faced one another for their replay, on Tuesday, June 14^th, 1938, at Bordeaux’s ‘Parc de Lescure’ at 18:00 PM.

-Brazil were missing the suspended Zezé Procópio and Machado II.

They played with virtually a different side. Nine players were changed and only Leonidas and goalkeeper Walter remained in the side from the first match.

Apart from Zezé Procópio and Machado II, Domingos Da Guia, Martim, Afonsinho, Lopes, Romeu, Peracio and Hercules would miss the replay.

In their place came: Jau, Nariz, Britto, Brandao, Argemiro, Roberto, Luiziznho, Tim and Patesko.

Czechoslovakia were missing the suspended Jan Riha.

They were also missing injured goalkeeper and Captain Frantisek Planicka. Karel Burkert would start in goal.

Apart from Jan Riha, Ladislav Šimůnek, Oldřich Nejedlý and Antonín Puč also missed the replay.

In their place came: Vilem Kreuz, Vaclav Horak, Karel Senecký and Oldřich Rulc.

Photo From: Fussball Sonntag, June 19, 1938

(Brazil squad, June 14, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 2-Czechoslovakia 1)

- Vlastimil Kopecký gave Czechoslovakia the lead in the 25^thminute from a pass by Kostalek.

Leonidas tied the match for Brazil in the 57^thminute.

Roberto scored Brazil’s winner in the 62^ndminute from a cross by Leonidas.

An effort by Karel Senecký appeared to have crossed the line before Walter had picked it up, but the referee did not validate it.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(June 14, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 2-Czechoslovakia 1)

-The Takeaway from this match was that both teams had been drastically changed due to injuries and suspensions and therefore it was not the strongest of either team.

However, Brazil had fresher and better alternatives than the Czechs whose 1934 backbone of Planicka (in the hospital), Nejedly and Puc was in no physical shape to play this replay two days later.

The Czechs attacked in the first half, with the Brazilians fighting back in the second half.

It was also not a violent match like the first encounter and there was a calmer atmosphere.

Tim made his debut for Brazil in the World Cup and impressed observers.

Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gustavo Capanema, sent a telegram to France greeting the "invincible fighters".

The CBD, also by telegram, called the athletes "brave legionaries." The federal governor in the state of Rio, Commander Amaral Peixoto, issued a note promoting the scorer of the second Brazilian goal, Roberto, as the deputy chief of the Niteroi Special Police, a body that Roberto was affiliated to.

-The next day while in train station waiting to go to Marseille, the Brazilian players started juggling the ball in the train station with the observers fascinated how they managed to bounce the ball around without it touching the ground.

III. Semifinals: June 16^th, 1938

Italy 2-Brazil 1

-Italy and Brazil faced one another, on Thursday, June 16^th, 1938, at Antibes’ ‘Stade du Fort Carré’ at 18:00 PM.

-This was the first time that Italy faced a South American Nation in the World Cup.

-Italy named an unchanged squad from the France match as Pozzo had settled on his strongest squad.

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(Team captains, June 16, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Both teams, June 16, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Italy squad, June 16, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

-Adhemar Pimenta had considered using Niginho, but Jose Maria Castello Branco, the head of the delegation, vetoed Niginho’s selection to avoid any irregularities and chose not to risk playing him.

‘Leonídio Fantoni’, Niginho’ had played for Lazio in Italy. He broke his contract and fled back home following Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.

The Italian Federation had not released the player from his contract and was therefore ineligible.

Italy had informed FIFA of Niginho’s suspect eligibility.

Brazil were informed of FIFA’s decision upon their arrival in France. Niginho needed a written authorization from Lazio to be released from his contract.

Photo From: Placar Especial 2006

(June 16, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

-The narrative had been that Adhemar Pinto had rested Leonidas and Tim to have them rested for the Final, as a show of overconfidence.

The reason was because he had boasted that “We are keeping them for the Final”.

Pimenta had also said “Italy is just one step in our route to triumph”.

Peracio and Romeu would deputize for the pair.

However, it has since came to light that Leonidas was injured from the Czechoslovakia replay.

In fact Leonidas and Tim had been worn out from their efforts vs. Czechoslovakia.

However, Leonidas was slightly injured from the Czechoslovakia match and that was the reason he was rested. He was forced to play in the replay due to Niginho’s dubious position.

Leonidas wrote to the Carioca magazine Sport Ilustrado, “I played this game because Niginho is not in a regular situation. But I was unhappy, I got hurt and I can not play”

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 988 (Number 12),March 23-29, 1994

(June 16, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

-In Sao Paulo, more than 1,000 people went to the Patriarch Square to listen to the game on the Record radio speakers.

-Italy Manager Vittorio Pozzo had learned that Brazilians had requisitioned the only plane from Marseille to Paris for the following day after the match. Pozzo approached the Brazilian delegation at ‘La Ciotat’ at Côte d'Azur and asked them to give the tickets to the Italians in case they won.

The Brazilians responded that they were confident of reaching the Final. They offered a place on the plane for Pozzo to go watch the Final along with them.

Pozzo used this incident to spur and motivate his team on.

Afterwards, Brazilians refused to sell the tickets to the Italians and the Italians were forced to go back to Paris by train.

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(June 16, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

-Gino Colaussi gave Italy the lead in the 51^stminute from a pass by Piola.

Giusepe Meazza doubled Italy’s lead from the penalty spot in the 60^thminute. The penalty kick had been awarded after Domingos Da Guia had fouled Piola in the box, though the ball was out of play and out of bounds.

In many interviews in the following years Domingos never denied having kicked Piola, but always insisted that the ball was out of bounds. This was the third penalty kick that Domingos had given away in the World Cup.

In general Piola had provoked Domingos throughout the match and the kick was in retaliation.

* Repetitions from a previous entry in the blog relevant to 1938:

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2011/11/trivia-and-facts-part-9.html

During the 1938 World Cup Semi-Final between Italy and Brazil (won 2-1 by Italy), Italian Captain Giuseppe Meazza had his shorts’ elastic ripped by a Brazilian defender.

Therefore, he took his penalty kick while holding his shorts up with one hand.

While celebrating, his teammates made a circle around him so that he could change shorts.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Cartoon showing Giuseppe Meazza scoring from the penalty spot while holding his shorts up, June 16, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

-Romeu scored a consolation goal for Brazil in the 87^th minute.

-The Brazilian Announcer Gagliano Neto felt the penalty had taken place. This would lead some to question his patriotism and he would receive the derogatory nickname of "Itagliano Nato".

-During the World Cup, it was forbidden for a coach to shout orders to his players on the field. While he was being monitored by two commissioners from FIFA, Vittorio Pozzo would give instructions in Piemontese dialect to his assistant Luigi Burlando, who would then relay the messages to the players on the field.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Cartoon showing Vittorio Pozzo communicating with his Assistant Luigi Burlando, June 16, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

-The takeaway from this match was Italy were still the best team in the World Cup and the result bore that out.

There was some controversy for the penalty kick decision.

It is possible that the referee made a mistake when interpreting the International Board's rules of June 28, 1934, that read: "If the ball is out of the field of play and a player kicks another one of the players, it shall not be considered a foul, but the offender shall be sent off". There was no expulsion, but the penalty kick was awarded.

The following day it was reported that Brazil were thinking about leaving the World Cup due to the controversial penalty kick decision.

Brazil had even filed a formal complaint after the match and were hoping for the ‘cancellation’ of the match but FIFA waved away the complaint.

Brazilians accepted to play the third place match.

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(June 16, 1938, World Cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

Hungary 5-Sweden 1

-Sweden and Hungary faced one another, on Sunday, Thursday, June 16^th, at Paris’ ‘Parc de Princes’ at 18:00 PM.

-Swedish captain Tore Keller had declared: "Today is the 80th birthday of our King Gustav V, we want to be a birthday present for him to win.".

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13692, June 16, 1938

(Team Formation, June 16, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 5-Sweden 1)

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Team captains, June 16, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 5-Sweden 1)

- For Hungary, Vincze and Kohut were spared for the final.

-Sweden took the lead after just 35 seconds through Arne Nyberg.

Hungary tied the match in the 18^th minute through an own goal by Sven Jacobsson pressured by Toldi. (It has also been credited to Gyula Zsengeller in many sources).

Pal Titkos gave Hungary the lead in the 26^thminute.

Gyula Zsengeller scored Hungary’s third in the 38^thminute.

Gyorgy Sarosi scored Hungary’s fourth in the 61^stminute.

Gyula Zsengeller rounded out the scoring in the 177^thminute,

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13693, June 17, 1938

(Diagram of Hungary’s third goal, June 16, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 5-Sweden 1)

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(June 16, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 5-Sweden 1)

Photo From: år med Svensk Fotboll 1904-84, Author Glanell Thomas red

(Sweden squad, June 16, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 5-Sweden 1)

-The Takeaway from this match was that the Hungarians were too strong for the Swedes.

They totally outplayed the Swedes after falling behind so quickly and could have scored more goals.

Many would question Sweden’s easy passage up to that point. A walkover in the first Round (Austria forfeit), followed by Cuba in the quarterfinals.

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(June 16, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 5-Sweden 1)

Photo From: Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 14, 1982, La Glorieuse Epopee De la Coupe Du Monde

(June 16, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 5-Sweden 1)

IV. Third Place: June 19^th, 1938

Brazil 4-Sweden 2

- Brazil and Sweden faced one another, on Sunday, June 19^th, 1938, at Bordeaux’s ‘Parc de Lescure’ at 17:00 PM.

-For Brazil, Batatais started in goal instead of Walter.

Leonidas was also back in the squad and promoted as Captain in Martim’s absence.

-Sweden took the lead in the 18^th minute through Sven Jonasson.

Sweden doubled the lead in the 38^thminute through Arne Nyberg.

Romeu pulled a goal back fro Brazil just before halftime in the 43^rd minute.

Leonidas scored for Brazil in the 63^rdminute to tie the match.

Leonidas gave Brazil the lead in the 73^rdminute.

Peracio scored Brazil’s fourth in the 80^thminute.

-The takeaway from this match was that Brazil were on the World stage.

Once again Sweden were unable to hold onto an early lead and capitulated.

This was the first time that Brazil had finished on the podium in the World Cup.

It paved the way for future success.

Leonidas ended up as top goalscorer.

On the return at Brazil, thousands of fans awaited them at their landing. Politicians wanted to be posing for photographs alongside players like Leonidas, elected the most popular Brazilian player in a contest conducted by the Magnolia Cigarette.

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(June 19, 1938, World Cup, Brazil 4-Sweden 2)

V. Final: June 19^th, 1938

Italy 4-Hungary 2

Photo From: History of the World Cup, Author Michael Archer

(Team captains, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

-Italy and Hungary faced one another, on Sunday June 19^th, 1938, at Paris’ ‘Stade Colombes’ at 17:00 PM.

-Upon their return from Marseille, the Italians were lodged at St. Germain

-This was the first time that the defending Champions had reached the Final of the following World Cup.

Italy became the first country to successfully defend the title in World Cup history.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Programme of the Final)

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(World Cup Final ticket, Press Area)

-The Italians presented an unchanged side for the third straight match.

-It was reported that Benito Mussolini had sent a telegram to the Italians saying “Victory or death”.

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Both teams, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

-After the National hymns were played, The French President Albert Lebrun after observing the lined up squads asked an aide, “Are they the Protagonists?”

The response was “Yes, the blue are the Italians and the Red are the Hungarians”

Lebrun asked “Ah, and the French where are they?” (Most likely he had not been up to date with proceedings of the World Cup)

The embarrassed aide replied “the French are so-so ... “ and made a reference that the Match Referee was French.

Afterwards, President Lebrun went down to the field and shook hands with all the players.

Photo From: La Historia de los Mundiales (En Primera Persona) - 2014

(French President Albert Lebrun meeting the teams, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

-Gino Colaussi gave Italy the lead for his third straight match in the 5^th minute. Biavati released Piola on the right who crossed for Colaussi who volleyed Italy’s opener on the left side.

Hungary tied the match just two minutes later through Pal Titkos. Gyula Zsengeller’s cross was deflected by Foni in the path of Titkos (in some sources Sas is credited as the player who assisted on the goal).

Silvio Piola hit the post before scoring the second goal in the 16^thminute.

Biavati on the wing pulled the ball across for Piola, who in turn laid the ball off for Ferrari. Ferrari could have shot but instead passed instead to Andreolo, who then set up Piola to smash home.

In another source, it is written that Colaussi in the left gave to Piola, who then gave to Ferrari. Ferrari then passed to Meazza on the right who then set up Piola.

Gino Colaussi scored Italy’s third in the 35^thminute. In a move started by Foni, reached Meazza who gave to Colaussi. He outpaced Polgar to go ahead and score.

Gyorgy Sarosi pulled a goal back in the 70^th minute.

Piola restored Italy’s two-goal advantage in the 82^nd minute. Biavati set up Piola to score from a cross from the right.

Photo From: LIBRO DEL FUTBOL, Fasciculo 15, 1974

(Alfredo Foni, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13695, June 19, 1938

(Team formations, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

-Hungary goalkeeper Antal Szabo would later say that by conceding four goals, he saved the lives of eleven footballers (alluding to Mussolini’s threat).

-Upon receiving the trophy from French President Albert Lebrun, Italy Captain Giuseppe Meazza made the fascist salute twice that left some uneasy.

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: History of the World Cup, Author Michael Archer

(Gyorgy Sarosi scoring, Giuseppe Meazza receiving the trophy and Italy’s World Cup winning squad, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

-The takeaway from this match was that Italy were still the best and the better prepared team in the World.

Hungary were outplayed by the stronger Italians in every department.

Pozzo would consider his 1938 squad as better prepared and equipped than the 1934 one.

Vittorio Pozzo told to ‘La Stampa’, “Italy played with the same style as it had against France and Brazil. Hungary were fast and combative. Their game has improved since their last matches with Italy, but are still inferior against an efficient Italian side”.

Giuseppe Meazza and Giovanni Ferrari became the first players to play in two successive World Cup Finals (and winners as well).

Vittorio Pozzo became the first and to this day the only Manager to win two consecutive World Cups.

He also became the first Manager to reach two successive World Cup Finals.

Italy became the first non-host winner of the World Cup.

Colaussi became the first ever player to score multiple goals in a World Cup Final. He was followed shortly by teammate Silvio Piola.

Italy had won the World Cups of 1934 and 1938, as well as the Olympic title of 1936.

Upon their return to Italy, the Italian squad was received by Mussolini at Palazzo Venezia in Rome. Bonus per player was 8,000 Lire.

Photo From: La Grande Storia del Calcio Italiano, L'apoteosi di Parigi, Issue 8, April 1965

(Cover of La Gazzetta dello Sport, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Italy squad with Benito Mussolini, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: History of the World Cup, Author Michael Archer

(Italy’s World Cup winning side, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(Italy’s World Cup winning side, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: La Grande Storia del Calcio Italiano, L'apoteosi di Parigi, Issue 8, April 1965

(Italy’s World Cup winning side, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 18, April 1999

(Italy’s World Cup winning side, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Placar Especial 2006

(Italy’s World Cup winning side, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

(Giuseppe Meazza about to receive the World Cup trophy while making the fascist salute, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Miroir du Football , Issue 130, April-May 1970

(French President Albert Lebrun handing the World Cup trophy to Giuseppe Meazza, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Placar Especial 2006

(Italians celebrating at the final whistle, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Top view of handing of the trophy, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

(Vittorio Pozzo being carried triumphantly, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: Гольдес И.- История чемпионатов мира 1930-1962+

(Vittorio Pozzo being carried triumphantly and Meazza and French President Albert Lebrun, June 19, 1938, World Cup, Italy 4-Hungary 2)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2243, April 4, 1989

(A stamp commemorating Italy’s 1938 World Cup win)

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(various newspapers and magazines for the World Cup)

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13696, June 20, 1938

(The cover of L’Auto, the day after the Final)

Post World Cup and General

-The Final Ranking: 1-Italy, 2-Hungary, 3-Brazil, 4-Sweden, 5-Czechoslovakia, 6-Switzerland, 7-Cuba, 8-France, 9-Romania, 10-Germany, 11-Poland, 12-Norway, 13-Belgium, 14-Holland, 15-Dutch East Indies.

-There were 84 goals in 18 Matches. This was an average of 4.67 goals per game.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13688, June 12, 1938

(A cartoon about the World Cup)

-From June 4^th to 19^th, 374, 937 spectators were in attendance for 18 matches. This was an average of 21,000 per match. The gate receipts totaled 5,866,089 Francs.

In another source, the total number was estimated as 365,000 supporters, equivalent to 72% of the maximum capacity of the stadiums.

Outside of the Capital, in the provinces, there were more than 180,000 in attendance, which was an average of 15,000 per match and 2,500,000 Francs.

Marseille and Bordeaux had more than 50,000 spectators.

The largest audiences were for France-Italy and Italy-Hungary match-ups.

The smallest audience was for Cuba-Rumania (6,707 spectators, only 30% of the capacity of stadium).

The World Bank's financial contribution covered allexpenses and gave a profit to the organizers.

The Organization was deemed successful just like the previous World Cups.

Most major geographical areas of France were included in organizing the matches.

Bordeaux and Marseille had unveiled new stadiums for the occasion.

Note: One source, states a total attendance of 483,000 (average of 26, 833 per match) (this seems somewhat high…..)

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Press passes)

-France would become World Cup hosts again, 60 years later in 1998. They would win their first World Cup then.

They faced Italy in the quarterfinals of the 1998 World Cup as they did in 1938.

-At the time, Henri Delaunay had made this prophetic statement: “We are lucky to have had the chance to organize the World Cup this year. Next year it would have been certainly too late”

-World XI per FIFA Jury after the 1938 World Cup:

Frantisek Planicka (Czechoslovakia);

Domingos Da Guia (Brazil), Pietro Rava (Italy), Zézé Procópio (Brazil)

Michele Andreolo (Italy), Ugo Locatelli (Italy), Arne Nyberg (Sweden)

Giuseppe Meazza (Italy), Leonidas (Brazil), Gyorgy Sarosi (Hungary), Pal Titkos (Hungary)

The selection of Brazilian defender Zézé Procópio was questioned as he had been sent off in the violent match vs. Czechoslovakia.

-The World Cup XI per ‘Don Balon’, Issue 348, June 1982

Frantisek Planicka (Czechsolovakia),

Domingos Da Guia (Brazil), Pietro Rava (Italy)

Pietro Serantoni (Italy), Michele Andreolo (Italy), Ugo Locatelli (Italy)

Giuseppe Meazza (Italy), Gyorgy Sarosi (Hungary)

Amedeo Biavati (Italy), Leonidas (Brazil), Pal Titkos (Hungary)

-World Cup XI per

“III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta”

First Team:

Aldo Olivieri (Italy)

Severino Minelli (Switzerland), Pietro Rava (Italy);

Andreas Kupfer (Germany), Dr. Gyorgy Sarosi (Hungary), Vlastimil Kopecky(Czechoslovakia);

Silvio Piola (Italy), Ernest Willimowski (Poland),

Willi Hahnemann (Germany), Leonidas (Brazil), Arne Brustad (Norway)

"B" Team:

Frantisek Planicka (Czechoslovakia);

Paul Janes (Germany), Machado (Brazil);

Antal Szalay (Hungary), Michele Andreolo (Italy), Gyula Lázár (Hungary);

Alfred Aston (France), Gyula Zsengeller (Hungary),
Romeu (Brazil),Tim (Brazil), Luigi Colaussi (Italy)

Other goalkeepers mentioned: Raftl (Germany), Walter (Brazil), Huber (Switzerland) and Szabo (Hungary).

Photo From: La Historia de los Mundiales (En Primera Persona) - 2014

(Team of Tournament per La Historia de los Mundiales (En Primera Persona))

-Many Nations present in 1938 would not qualify to the World Cup for decades to come.

Romania’s next World Cup Finals would be in 1970, while Poland’s would be in 1974.

Norway would have to wait even longer until 1994.

-On September 1, 1939, Germany’s invasion of Poland started World War II.

The World Cups of 1942 and 1946 were cancelled as the World was engulfed in War.

Incidentally, Germany were in line to host the 1942 World Cup.

In addition, Hungarian Officials were thinking of a plan to co-host the 1946 edition along with Austria and Czechoslovakia.

-The Italian FIFA Vice-President Dr. Ottorino Barassi (October 5, 1898-November 24, 1971) kept the World Cup hidden under his bed, in order to protect it from the Nazis.

-The only players registered with foreign clubs were the Hungarian Vilmos Kohut (Olympique de Marseille / France) and Switzerland’s Alessandro Frigerio (Le Havre Athletic Club / France).

Both were registered with French clubs.

Photo From: IFFHS, Schweiz,Suisse, Svizzera (1905-1940)

(Alesandro Frigerio)

-Italy’s Amedeo Biavati (April 4, 1915-April 22, 1979) was credited for starting a new method of dribbling.

It was the famous "double step" or “step over”.

Photo From: Il Libro Azzurro del Calcio Italiano, Authors Pericle Pratelli, Pasquale Scardillo, 1974

(Amedoe Biavati)

-Italy’s Silvio Piola (September 29, 1913-October 4, 1996) would be regarded as one of the greatest strikers in Italian Football History. He would be the most prolific Italian scorer of all time. He would pass Meazza's total in 1951, a year before he retired.

During the Second World War, he was visiting his family in Vercelli, (in the North), at a time when the country was split into two; the North under Allied control and the South under German control. Piola was stranded and he couldn't return to the South to lineup for Lazio. During this time, a Roman newspaper erroneously ran the headline ‘Piola killed after bombing' and there were even reports of mourning ceremonies taking place in the capital for him. He returned to Rome weeks later unharmed.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13684, June 8, 1938

(A cartoon of Silvio Piola)

Photo From: Paris Soir, 18 June 1938

(Silvio Piola signing autographs in Paris)

-In 1983, Silvio Piola would recount some of the events of the World Cup.

He felt their mental strength was a more determining factor than any technical attributes, as the team was expertly forged as a unit by Pozzo.

The team was fearless in facing any rival according to Piola.

After the match vs. Norway, Pozzo had been uneasy and restless about certain press criticisms. There were about five Italian journalists following the team.

Pozzo would not allow interviews with players nor allow the players to read as to not affect their performances.

They lived in a bubble isolated with some French police officers stationed in front of their hotel of Saint-Germain en Laye in Paris.

Piola also praised Brazil’s Domingos Da Guia and the Hungarian Captain Gyorgy Sarosi.

He was touched how after the final whistle Sarosi immediately congratulated the Italian group as a sign of Sportsmanship.

Photo From: Paris Soir, 21 June 1938

(A cartoon of Silvio Piola after the World Cup win)

-From Italy’s 1938 squad, back-up goalkeeper Guido Masetti (November 22, 1907-November 26, 1993) was the last surviving Italian player to have witnessed Italy host the World Cup again in 1990. Masetti passed away in 1993.

-Italy defender Alfredo Foni (November 20, 1911-January 28, 1985) would manage the Italian National Team (1954 to 1958). He would fail in qualifying the National Team for the 1958 World Cup.

He would also manage the Swiss National Team (1964-1967).

Photo From: Il Libro Azzurro del Calcio Italiano, Authors Pericle Pratelli, Pasquale Scardillo, 1974

(Alfredo Foni)

-A Stadium was built in Verona in 1990 in honor of Aldo Olivieri (October 2, 1910- April 5, 2001).

‘Stadio Aldo Olivieri is used by Verona’s Feminine squad.

Olivieri was the penultimate survivor of the Italian squad starters.

Photo From: La Grande Storia del Calcio Italiano, L'apoteosi di Parigi, Issue 8, April 1965

(Aldo Olivieri)

-Italians Pietro Rava, Alfredo Foni, Sergio Bertoni and Ugo Locatelli are the only four Italian players to have won the World Cup and the Olympics Title.

-Italy’s Bruno Chizzo (April 19, 1916-August 1969) was Italy’s youngest player in the squad. He did not play a game throughout the tournament.

Aldo Donati(September 29, 1910-November 3, 1984) was also a World Cup champion, though he never played for Italy.

-Pietro Serantoni (December 11, 1906-October 6, 1964), at 3I years old, was the oldest of Italy’s starters. He was the first of the 1938 World Cup winners to pass away (1964).

Photo From: La Grande Storia del Calcio Italiano, L'apoteosi di Parigi, Issue 8, April 1965

(Pietro Serantoni)

-The Italian Oriundi, the Uruguay-born Michele Andreolo’s first name was actually Miguel Angel.

It is written that died “forgotten and in misery” in 1981.

-The day after the victory, Vittorio Pozzo was asked at the ‘Gare de Lyon’ Train station at Paris (upon departure back to Rome), “what would he do now?”.

His response was that he would “rest near his mother and son, and find wisdom and innocence..”

After his coaching career, Pozzo would get back to write for ‘La Stampa’.

Turin declined to name the stadium built specially for the 1990 World Cup after him (it would be named Stadio Delle Alpi). It was believed because Pozzo’s image had been somewhat tarnished in the succeeding Generations as a puppet of Mussolini.

-For decades, in various sources Brazil’s Leonidas was credited as being the top goalscorer with 8 goals. This apparently took hold in the 1940s.

Leonidas was credited with having scored 4 goals against Poland.

Leonidas himself had always maintained that he had scored three goals in that match.

In the most current and up to date records, Leonidas is credited as being the top goalscorer with 7 goals and not 8.

Photo From: Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

(A cartoon about the World Cup)

Photo From: Histoire de la Coupe Du Monde, 1930-1982, Author Eric Lahmy, Illustrations by Robert Bressy

(Cartoon illustration of the World Cup)

Photo From: Histoire de la Coupe Du Monde, 1930-1982, Author Eric Lahmy, Illustrations by Robert Bressy

(Cartoon illustration of the World Cup)

Post World Cup and General (continued)

-Leonidas’ success led to ‘Lacta’ chocolate to create the ‘Diamante Negro’ (Black Diamond) chocolate with Leonidas.

Leonidas had received many nicknames from Journalists. One of them was ‘Homme Gomme’ (Rubber Man).

The nickname ‘Black Diamond’ was given by Uruguayans in Penarol in 1932. He in fact did not have the legal property of the name. Even after receiving a large sum from ‘Lacta’ Chocolate, he had no share in the profits in the following decades.

Apparently, Pele had been wary of this situation and had his nickname trademarked at age of 20.

Photo From: Historias Sudamericanas en la Copa del Mundo 1930-2006

(Leonidas)

-The Brazilian Elba de Pádua Lima, Tim, would manage Peru in the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

As a player he missed out on playing vs. Poland and Italy in the 1938 World Cup, but as Manager he played against both team sin the 1982 World Cup.

The 44 years between the World Cups, is the longest interval ever between an individual's World Cup participations, and the longest World Cup career overall.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Tim)

-Brazil’s matches were followed home live by Radio. Leonardo Gagliano Netto (1911-1974) narrated the matches.

He was from the Byington network - formed by the PRA-3 and Cruzeiro do Sul PRD-2 radio stations (both from Rio), plus its subsidiaries Cosmos PRE-7 and Cruzeiro do Sul PRB-6 from Sao Paulo). The Santos PRB-4 radio club entered as an associated broadcaster and, as the National Team progressed in the World Cup, other Stations were integrated into the group. In the main cities, loudspeakers were installed in open locations so that fans could listen.

The voice arrived in Brazil by short waves (the antennas had to be manually directed to capture them) and the sponsor was the Urea Casino in Rio. The cost of each transmission (intercontinental telephone line rental) was: 100 Millions of Reis.

-Brazil Manager Adhemar Pinto would be criticized for not being up to date with modern tactics. Most nations had adapted the WM tactical formation, while Pimenta was still experimenting with the out-dated Pyramid System.

This system was defensively unsound and deemed unsophisticated in the new landscape of World Football.

In terms of Organization, unlike the chaos associated with the 1930 and 1934 Tournaments, Brazil were more organized this time around.

The consensus was they had learned from their past mistakes and had planned better even in training, organizing the trip, etc.

-Brazil’s Domingos Da Guia was reported to be the highest paid Football player at the time.

He was Champion in Uruguay with Nacional Montevideo in 1933 and Champion of Rio de Janeiro State League with Vasco Da Gama in 1934.

He became Champions with Argentina’s Boca Juniors in 1935. Thus becoming Champions in three different Nations.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13665, May 20, 1938

(Domingos Da Guia)

-The Brazil National team returned home on the ‘Almanzora’ ship amid much fanfare.

The ‘Almanzora’ made stops at Recife and Salvador. In Bahia a fan removed Leonidas' shoe to take it as a souvenir. On July 2^nd, 1938 at Rio, at 3:30 PM, ‘Almanzora’ began to dock at the port, and the police had difficulty maintaining the cordon of isolation that prevented the public from approaching the pier.

The players paraded in open cars along Rio Branco Avenue. Leonidas was driven into a Marine Corps troop carrier, heavily guarded by an entire brigade of the military. There were so many people that "the police had to use energy means to break the mass," (something lost in translation..) according to the newspaper Estado de S. Paulo.

-Brazil’s next match vs. a European opponent would be during the 1950 World Cup vs. Switzerland on home soil.

Brazil’s next match on European soil would be in 1954.

-German Manager Josef 'Sepp' Herberger would lead West Germany to World Cup triumph during the 1954 World Cup.

This 1938 World Cup would be the only time that a Pre-War (Pozzo) and Post-War (Herberger) World Cup winning managers took part.

-German backup goalkeeper Fritz Buchloch would become the Manager of the Iceland National Team in 1948.

He would be the first German Sportsman to go abroad after World War II.

-The German (actually Austrian) Wilhelm Hahnemann was also employed by the Sports Department of the City of Vienna.

In 1949 in the Turkish Capital Ankara, he was condemned to six months in prison for smuggling. Upon his release in August 1949, it was discovered that he was actually innocent and may have taken the blame for his friends.

Photo From: Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989

(Wilhelm Hahnemann)

-Germany’s Paul Janes was in the German Navy during the War. He became the record holder as Captain on November 22^nd, 1942 (Germany 5-Slovakia 2) by bypassing Fritz Szepan (Janes’ 31^st match as Captain).

He was Germany’s record holder of Caps (71) until Uwe Seeler overtook him in the early 1970s.

Photo From: Deutschlands Fussball Nationalspieler, Das Lexicon, Author Jurgen Bitter

(Paul Janes)

-Germany’s Andreas Kupfer was the only player to have played Germany’s last International match before the end of World War II, as well as the first match after the War in 1950. He was Germany’s Captain for that match in 1950 vs. Switzerland.

Photo From: Deutschlands Fussball Nationalspieler, Das Lexicon, Author Jurgen Bitter

(Andreas Kupfer)

-France’s Raoul Diagne was the son of a Senegalese Deputy who was studying in France.

He was the first player of color to play for France (February 15^th, 1931 vs. Czechoslovakia).

-France’s Hector Cazenave was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. He was naturalized in 1937.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Hector Cazenave)

-France’s Auguste ‘Gusti’ Jordan was Austrian-born (born in Linz).

He arrived in France in 1933 and was naturalized in 1935.

He was jailed by the Germans during the War, because he had played for France as an Austrian.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Gusti Jordan)

-France’s Oscar Heisserer became the very first Manager in the history of Olympique Lyonnais.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Oscar Heisserer)

-During the World Cup, French goalkeeper Laurent Di Lorto superstitiously kept with him a Virgin Mary Medallion given to him by a fan.

French captain Etienne Mattler similarly kept with him a horseshoe given to him by a group of fans at Chantilly.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Etienne Mattler)

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13688, June 12, 1938

(A carton of Laurent Di Lorto)

-Hungary’s Ferenc Sas (March 15 (or August 16), 1915- September 3, 1988) went to Argentina after the World Cup and joined Boca Juniors. He would be named Francisco Sohn.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13688, June 12, 1938

(A cartoon of Ferenc Sas)

-Sweden’s Torre Keller had been present in the 1924 Olympics in Paris.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13692, June 16, 1938

(Jozsef Nagy and Tore Keller)

-Holland had the youngest (Bertus de Harder, 18 years old), as well as the oldest (Wim Anderiesen, 34 years old) players in the World Cup.

Photo From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri van der Steen, John Volkers

(Bertus de Harder)

Photo From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri van der Steen, John Volkers

(Wim Anderiesen)

-Belgium’s Jean Petit (February 25, 1914-June 5, 1944), who was also a doctor, was killed on June 5^th, 1944 while riding his bicycle visiting a patient during a bombing raid in Liege.

He was the brother of Roger Petit, Standard Liege player and later General Secretary of the Club who would be implicated in the Standard-Waterschei scandal of 1984.

-Norway Coach Asbjorn Halvorsen (December 3, 1898-January 16, 1955) was responsible for the sports boycott in Norway during the Nazi occupation.

He was arrested and placed in various Concentration Camps during the occupation.

Photo From: IFFHS-Norge (1908-1940), Suomi (1911-1940)-Essti (1920-1940)

(Norway Manager Asbjorn Halvorsen)

-Norway’s Odd Frantzen(Janaury 20, 1913-October 2, 1977) was beaten to death in his home during a home intrusion in 1977. The assailant was convicted of manslaughter.

-Norway’s Reidar Kvammen (July 23, 1914-October 27, 1998) was a Police Officer. During the war, he was sent to various Concentration Camps until the end of the war.

At the time of the World Cup, It had been reported that Arsenal had shown an interest in him.

Photo From: Landslaget, Det Norske Fotballandslagets Historie, authors Egil Olsen, Arne Scheie,Per Jorsett, Otto Ulseth, 1997

(Reidar Kvammen)

-Norway’s Kristian Henriksen (March 3, 1911-February 8, 2004) became the National Team Manager of Norway (1958-1959). He was the last surviving member of Norway’s 1938 World Cup squad.

-Switzerland’s Erwin Ballabio would be appointed as National Team Manager on May 24^th, 1967. He replaced the Italian Alfredo Foni, one of Italy’s starters in this 1938 World Cup.

-The Swiss returned home on June 14 and received an enthusiastic reception.

In Basel the players were welcomed in the presence of a large crowd from the Social Democratic Party President.

In Zurich, a delegation from the city government invited the team to lunch at which Emil Kloti, the Social Democratic Party City President, gave a speech. In Geneva, Servette players were welcomed in their hometown by a government delegation.

A member of the Grasshopper Club donated the sum of 1,000 Swiss Francs for the players.

The squad were now called the "heathen of Paris".

A week later, in Berne, before the Grasshoppers' match against Servette, Federal Minister Rudolf Minger gave them "the greetings of the state government and of the entire people".

No other sporting event has experienced such a reception in Switzerland as the victory against "Great Germany".

It has also been referenced in Swiss Literary works such as Otto F. Walter ‘s "Zeit des Fasans" (1988) and Ticino Giovanni Orelli’s "Il sogno di Walaschek" (1991).

The German Matti Lieske made the game the backdrop of a short story.

In Walther Kauer's “Schachteltraum” (1974), the game of Paris is merged with a friendly game against Germany from Apri1, 1941 to a fictitious game in the middle of the 1930's.

Many other figures within Swiss culture (living at the time), remember exactly what they were doing when the match was played.

-Juan Tuñas (February 1, 1917-April 4, 2011) was the last surviving member of Cuba’s squad.

He had moved to Mexico after the World Cup and remained in Mexico City after retirement.

-Dutch East Indies’ Frans Alfred Meeng (January 18, 1910-September 18, 1944) was killed when the Japanese Cargo ship Jun’yo Maru was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Tradewind.

-Poland’s Jerzy (Wilhelm) Piec (January 7 (or November 2), 1915-April 4, 1954) and Ryszard Leon Piec (August 17, 1913-January 24, 1979) were brothers.

Switzerland’s Georges Aeby(September 21, 1913-December 15, 1999) and Paul Aeby (September 10, 1910-unknown) were brothers.

-After the war, Poland’s Ernest Willimowski was regarded as a traitor by the new Polish Communist Government. He was not allowed to visit Poland afterwards. He would eventually settle in Karlsruhe.

During the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, Willimowski had wanted to visit the Polish squad but was refused permission by Polish Officials.

He did however meet Poland’s manager Kazimierz Gorski in a hotel at Murrhardt where Poland were based.

However, Gorski was forced to greet him in a cold manner as he was being observed by a Polish security agent.

Photo From: IFFHS-Russia (1912-1920), Soviet Union (1923-1940),Polska (1921-1940), Lietuva(1923-1940)

(Ernst Willimowski)

-The lives of many of Poland’s National Team were affected by the Second World War.

Gerard Wodarz (August 10, 1913- November 8, 1982) signed the German Nationality List (Volksliste) after the German Invasion and Occupation in 1939.

He was mobilized by the German Army in 1941. He was captured in 1944 by the American Army. He was transferred to the Polish Forces of the West.

Jan Karol Wasiewicz (January 6, 1911-November 9, 1976) fought for Poland after the German Invasion in 1939. He escaped to Hungary and eventually made his way to England. He joined Poland’s Western Forces and fought later in the ‘1st Polish Infantry Battalion’. He would move to England after the war and in 1949 to Argentina for the rest of his life.

Fryderyk Egon Scherfke (Szerfke) (September 7, 1909-September 15, 1983), as an ethnic German, was mobilized by the German Army in 1940.

He was sent to the Eastern Front in 1943 and then to Yugoslavia, where he was wounded in January 1945. He was captured by the British and then released on July 25^th, 1945. He settled in West Germany after his release.

Leonard Franciszek Piatek (Piontek) (October 3, 1913-July 1, 1967), as an ethnic German signed the German Nationality List (Volksliste).

After the war he changed his name to the Polish Piątek and returned to Poland.

Antoni Andrzej Lyko (May 27, 1907-June 3, 1941) was arrested by the Gestapo and taken to Auschwitz where he would be executed on June 3^rd, 1941.

Erwin Ginter (Edward Piotr) Nyc (May 24, 1914-May 1, 1988), as an ethnic German, was mobilized by the German Army.

After the War he returned to Poland. He was initially regarded as a traitor but many players vouched for him that he had helped the Polish underground during the War.

Poland goalkeeper Edward Madejski (August 11, 1914-February 15, 1996) was not registered to any club during the World Cup. He was banned by the Polish League due to a scandal related to his transfer from Wisla Krakow to Gerbarnia Krakow.

During the War he was involved in a number of illegal Soccer tournaments that had been banned by the Germans. He was arrested by the Gestapo and was actually on death row for some time.

In 1956, the Polish Communist Government would arrest him for espionage and sabotage. He would be imprisoned for three years. After many years he would be exonerated.

Józef Franciszek Korbas (November 11, 1914-October 2, 1981) was arrested by the Germans in 1942 and sent to Auschwitz and then to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. He survived and then returned to Poland.

Boleslaw Józef Habowski (September 13, 1914-May 21, 1979) was captured by the Soviets in 1939 and taken to Siberia. He would join the Polish Army in the Soviet Union in 1942. He would eventually make his way to England and settle there.

Wilhelm Antoni Góra (January 18, 1916-May 21, 1975), as an ethnic German, signed the German Nationality List (Volksliste).

He was mobilized by the German Army and transferred to Italy, where he was captured by the Allied Army. He would join the 2^nd Corps of the Polish Army.

He remained in West Germany after the War.

Edmund Giemza (Giemsa) (October 16, 1912-September 30, 1994) was mobilized by the German Army. He deserted and fought for the French Resistance and eventually joined the Polish Army. He settled in Britain after the War.

Photo From: IFFHS-Russia (1912-1920), Soviet Union (1923-1940),Polska (1921-1940), Lietuva(1923-1940)

(Edmund Giemsa)

Edward Dytko (October 18, 1914-June 13, 1993), as an ethnic German signed the German Nationality List (Volksliste). He was mobilized by the German Army in 1942. He was captured by the American Army in 1944. He returned to Poland after the War, but was initially regarded as a traitor by the new Polish Communist Government.

He was cleared after signing the declaration of loyalty to the Polish state.

Antoni Gałecki (June 4, 1906-December 14, 1958) was captured by the Germans in the beginning of the War. He escaped and made his way to Palestine and joined the Polish 2^ndCorps. He would fight in the war and afterwards return to Poland.

Photo From: IFFHS-Russia (1912-1920), Soviet Union (1923-1940),Polska (1921-1940), Lietuva(1923-1940)

(Antoni Galecki)

-The following players were also present during the 1930 World Cup:

Belgium:Arnold Badjou, Bernard Voorhoof

France:Etienne Mattler, Edmond Delfour, Emile Veinante

Romania: Rudolf Burger, Nicolae Kovaci (aka Nicolae Kovacs), Ladislau Raffinsky

-The following Managers were present in the 1934 Edition as well:

France:Gaston Barreau (Coach, part of Technical Commission in 1934)

Holland: Robert Glendenning

Italy: Vittorio Pozzo

Sweden: ManagerJozsef Nagy

-The following players appeared in the 1936 Berlin Olympics:

Germany: Fritz Buchloh, Josef Gauchel, Ludwig Goldbrunner, Hans Jakob, Ernst Lehner, Reinhold Munzenberg, Otto Siffling (on Stand by: Rudolf Gellesch, Paul Janes, Fritz Szepan)

Italy: Sergio Bertoni, Pietro Rava, Alfredo Foni, Ugo Locatelli, Manager Vittorio Pozzo

Norway: Henry Johansen, Nils Eriksen, Øivind Holmsen, Jorgen Juve, Rolf Holmberg, Sverre Hansen, Frithjof Ulleberg, Arne Brustad, Odd Frantzen, Magnar Isaksen, Reidar Kvammen, Alf Martinsen and Manager Asbjorn Halvorsen (on Stand by: Kristian Henriksen, Arne Ileby)

Poland:Antoni Gałecki, Władysław Szczepaniak, Edward Dytko, Wilhelm Antoni Góra, Jan Karol Wasiewicz, Fryderyk Egon Scherfke (Szerfke), Gerard Wodarz and FA Captain: Józef Kałuża (on Stand by:Edward Dominik Jerzy Madejski, Jerzy (Wilhelm) Piec)

Sweden:Gustav Sjöberg, Karl-Erik Grahnm, Sven Jonasson and Erik Persson (on Stand by:Erik Almgren)

Post World Cup and General (continued)

A. Repetitions from a previous entry in the blog relevant to 1938:

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-first-time-part-ten.html

The First Time ever (only time ever) that players appeared in a pre-War and post-War World Cups was when 1938 participants, the Swiss Alfred Bickel and the Swede Erik Nilsson, appeared in the 1950 World Cup as well.

Photo From: Die Nati, Die Geschichte der Schweizer Fussball-Nationalmanschaft, author Beat Jung, 2006

(Alfed Bickel next to Severino Minelli, who is shaking hands with General of the Swiss Army Henri Guisan)

Photo From: IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)
(Erik Nilsson, June 9, 1939, Nordic Cup, Sweden 5-Finland 1)

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2016/09/oriundis-and-other-naturalized.html

Michele Andreolo-Uruguay and Italy, 1934/1942

Uruguay-born and Nacional Montevideo midfielder Michele Andreolo earned caps for Uruguay in 1934/35.

In 1935, he joined Italy’s Bologna, where he won many League titles.

His displays caught the eye of Italy Manager Vittorio Pozzo and he was selected for his new Nation from 1936 onwards.

He was a member of Italy’s 1938 World Cup winning squad.

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2016/03/politics-and-game-part-four.html

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2016/09/politics-and-game-part-six.html

Karl Rappan and the Nazi Authorities

The famous Austrian Manager Karl Rappan had his run-ins with Nazi Officials while he was managing the Swiss National Team. He managed the Swiss National Team during the 1938 World Cup (concurrently with Grasshopper Zurich).

After leading the Swiss to victory over the Germans during the 1938 World Cup, he was ordered by a Nazi Official to leave the lodgings in France where the Swiss squad were residing and return to Munich at once (remember Austria was part of Germany after the Anschlus). He refused this demand/order.

Just after the World Cup, he was approached by another high-ranking Nazi Official and offered (given an ultimatum according to Rappan) to replace Sepp Herberger as Germany’s National Team Manager.

Upon returning to Switzerland, his contract was extended by Grasshopper President Dr. Hoffmann and was asked not to make any hostile comments about Zurich’s German community.

Karl Rappan and Nazi Authorities, 1940s

In 1942 Switzerland were to play Germany in the (then annexed) Vienna.

Switzerland’s Swiss Manager Karl Rappan had to present himself to the German consulate in Zurich, for a medical exam to be mobilized.

Initially, since he had problems with his lungs, he was to be incorporated into an office role.

The Swiss Federation President Robert Zumbuhl interved for Rappan to remain in Switzerland by using his influende with the German Ambassdaor.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Switzerland Manager Karl Rappan)

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2017/01/mysteries-legends-and-conspiracy.html

Leonidas and Bicycle Kick

1930s Brazilian star Leonidas (top goalscorer at the 1938 World Cup) is often credited as being the inventor of the Bicycle (overhead) kick.

Most historians are doubtful of that claim and believe perhaps he popularized it but did not actually invent it.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13681, June 5, 1938

(A cartoon of Leonidas)

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2015/05/new-addition-oriundis-and-other.html

Poland striker Ernest Willimowski is mostly remembered for scoring four goals in a losing effort vs. Brazil during the 1938 World Cup.

He was actually born in an area of Poland (Silesia) that was still part of the German Empire in 1916. That area became part of Poland in 1922.

After Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939, he was capped by Germany in the 1940s. He stayed in Germany for the remainder of his life.

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

(Ernest Willimowski)

http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2017/06/keep-it-in-family-part-four.html

Brazilian star from the 1930s Domingos da Guia was the father of 1970s player Ademir da Guia.

They are one of the first father-son combinations to have played in a World Cup (Domingos in 1938 and Ademir in 1974).

Photo From: Placar Especial 2006

(Domingos Da Guia)

B. Repetitions from 1934 article relevant to 1938:

-Italy Manager Vittorio Pozzo would manage Italy to win the following World Cup in 1938 in France.

He became and still is the only Manager to have managed two World Cup winning sides (as well as consecutive ones).

-Giuseppe Meazza and Giovanni Ferrari were 1938 World Cup winners as well. They were the only 1934 veterans to achieve this distinction. In doing so, they became the first ever players to win the World Cup twice.

Eralso Monzeglio, another 1934 winner, took part only in Italy’s first match vs. Norway 9June 5, 1938, 2-1 win).

Italian Back-up goalkeeper Guido Masetti (November 22, 1907-November 26, 1993) of AS Roma was also part of the 1938 World Cup winning side. He became the only player to be in two World Cup winning sides without playing a single minute in each.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Giovanni Ferrari and Giuseppe Meazza)

-Giuseppe Meazza (August 23, 1910- August 21, 1979) would be the Captain of the 1938 World Cup winning side.

The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) in Milan (shared by AC Milan and Internazionale Milano) is named after him.

He played for both clubs, though for the majority of his career he played for Internazionale Milano.

Photo From: L'Auto, Issue 13680, June 4, 1938

(A cartoon of Giuseppe Meazza)

-Italian defender Pietro Rava (January 21, 1916- November 5, 2006) was the only player to have been alive during Italy’s four World Cup wins (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006).

He passed away just months after the 2006 triumph.

Photo From: Il Libro Azzurro del Calcio Italiano, Authors Pericle Pratelli, Pasquale Scardillo, 1974

(Pietro Rava)

-Belgium’s Bernard Voorhoof (May 10, 1910-February 18, 1974) along with France’s Etienne Mattler (December 25, 1905-March 23, 1986) and Edmond Delfour (November 1, 1907-December 21, 1990) are the only players who took part in the first three World Cups in the 1930 (1930, 1934 and 1938).

Bernard Voorhoof was nicknamed ‘voorhoofd’ (forehead in Dutch); his 1930 Belgian teammate Nicolaas Hoydonckx called him ‘voor-kop’ (to head).

Photo From: Les Bleus, Author Denis Chaumier, 2004

(Etienne Mattler)

Photo From: Les Bleus, Author Denis Chaumier, 2004

(Edmond Delfour)

-Hungary’s Gyorgy Sarosi (August 5, 1912-June 20, 1993) would captain his Nation in the Final of the 1938 World Cup vs. Italy.

He would go on to manage many Italian clubs in the 1950s including Juventus, AS Roma, Genoa and Bologna.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 988 (Number 12),March 23-29, 1994

(Gyorgy Sarosi)

-While in the 1930 World Cup, 2-3-5 formation was popular by this World Cup; the ‘WM’ Formation of Herbert Chapman was taking hold across Europe.

Germany played in a ‘WM’ (3-2-2-3) formation at the World Cup.

‘WM’ was also known as ‘Sistema’.

In contrast, Vittorio Pozzo and Hugo Meisl had developped ‘Metodo’, which was a ‘WW’ (2-3-2-3) formation.

Photo From: Gazzetta di Mantova, Tutto Mondiali, 1930-1934-1938

(Italy’s tactical formation)

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(Italy’s tactical formation)

- Austria Rudolf Raftl, Willibald Schmaus and Josef Stroh would be part of the German National Team in the 1938 World Cup. Austrian players were incorporated into the German Team after the Anschlus.

-Apparently the Germans had been hoping to host the 1942 World Cup (If not for World War II…)

-The following players were also present during the 1938 World Cup:

Belgium:Arnold Badjou, Bernard Voorhoof, Andre Vandeweyer, Philibert Smellinckx and Jean Capelle

Brazil:Patesko, Leonidas, Luizinho and Martim Silveira

Czechoslovakia: Frantisek Plánička, Ferdinand Daucik, Jaroslav Boucek, Jaroslav Burgr, Vlastimil Kopecky, Josef Koštálek, Oldrich Nejedlý and Antonin Puč

France:Gaston Barreau (Coach, part of Technical Commission in 1934), René Llense, Roger Courtois, Etienne Mattler, Jules Vandooren, Alfred Aston, Edmond Delfour, Jean Nicolas and Emile Veinante

Germany: Fritz Buchloh, Hans Jakob, Paul Janes, Ernst Lehner, Reinhold Munzenberg, Rudolf Raftl, Willibald Schmaus, Otto Siffling, Josef Stroh and Fritz Szepan (Note: Rudolf Raftl, Willibald Schmaus and Josef Stroh were part of the Austrian National team in 1934).

Holland: Gerardus ‘Puck’ van Heel, Wim Andriesen Sr., Kick Smit, Leen Vente, Frank Wels, Mauk Weber, Adri van Male, Bas Paawe and Manager Robert Glendenning

Hungary: Antal Szabo, Gyorgy Szucs, Jeno Vincze, Antal Szalay, György Sárosi, Gyula Lazar , Jozsef Hada, Jozsef Turay, Geza Toldi, Janos Dudas,

Sandor Biro, Gyula Polgar

Italy: Giovanni Ferrari, Guido Masetti, Giuseppe Meazza, Eraldo Monzeglio and Manager Vittorio Pozzo

Romania: Iuliu Baratki, Silviu Bindea, Nicolae Kovaci (aka Nicolae Kovacs), Stefan Dobay, Iuliu Bodola, Rudolf Burger, Lazar Sfera and Manager: Costel Radulescu

Sweden: Sven Jonasson, Tore Keller and ManagerJozsef Nagy

Switzerland: Renato Bizzozero, Willy Huber, Severino Minelli, Albert Guinchard, André‘Trello’ Abegleen and Leopold Kielholz

-Holland’s Wim Anderiesen (November 27, 1903-July 18, 1944) passed away due to pneumonia.

His son Wim Anderiesen, Jr played for Ajax Amsterdam in the 1950s.

-Germany’s Otto Siffling (August 3, 1912-October 20, 1939) died aged just 27 from Peurisy (inflammation of the lungs).

Photo From: Deutschlands Fussball Nationalspieler, Das Lexicon, Author Jurgen Bitter

(Otto Siffling)

-Karel Johannes Julianus Lotsij (Lotsy) (March 3, 1893-August 29, 1959) was the head of the Dutch Selection Committee.

Many credit him for the improvements in the standards of the Dutch team during his tenure.

After his death, it came to light that during the Dutch Occupation during World War II, he might have been accommodating to the Nazis.

His role is somewhat unclear as accounts vary but his image was tarnished posthumously.

-France’s Alfred Aston (May 16, 1912-February 10, 2003) had an English father and French mother.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(A cartoon of Alfred Aston)

- France’s Roger Courtois (May 30, 1912-May 5, 1972) was born in Switzerland and had double Nationality (French and Swiss).

In 1940, he had been mobilized as France had entered the War and was taken prisoner.

He decided on a plan to get repatriated to neutral Switzerland.

He went to the Prison Camp Hospital on the pretense of inflammation of lungs that he had from childhood (healed by then).

There he decided not to eat to lose weigtht. In doing so he lost more than 25 pounds and was repatriated to Switzerland in a seemingly ill state.

Once in Switzerland, he resumed his playing career and joined Lausanne.

-Holland’s Puck van Heel held the Dutch Caps record from 1937 until 1979, when Ruud Krol broke it.

-France backup goalkeeper René Llense (July 14, 1913-March 12, 2014) died aged 100.

He was the last surviving participant of this World Cup and in fact of any of the pre-War World Cups.

Photo From: Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

(Rene Llense)

References:

Le Miroir Des Sports, Issue 1007, June 14, 1938

Gazzetta di Mantova, Tutto Mondiali, 1930-1934-1938

La Grande Storia del Calcio Italiano, L'apoteosi di Parigi, Issue 8, April 1965

Il Calcio Illustrato, Giugno 1950, Supplemento Al. No 24

Fussball Sonntag, May 29, 1938

Fussball Sonntag, June 12, 1938

Fussball Sonntag, June 19, 1938

Fussball Sonntag, June 26, 1938

France Football, Issue 2717, May 5, 1998

Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1958, Herausgegeben von Dr Friedebert Becker

90 Joer Letzebuerger Footballfederatioun 90 ans Federation Luxembourgeoise de Football

Le Livre D'or du Football 1997, Author Gerard Ejnes

A-Laget, Norges 25 storste fotballspillere gjennom tidene, Authors Svein Saeter, Johan L. Oiestad

år med Svensk Fotboll 1904-84, Author Glanell Thomas red

Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

Bialo Czerwoni 1921-2001, Author Andrzej Gowarzewski

Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri van der Steen, John Volkers

Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989

Deutschlands Fussball Nationalspieler, Das Lexicon, Author Jurgen Bitter

Die Geschichte der Fussball Nationalmanschaft, Author Dietrich Schulze-Marmeling (Hrsg), 2004

Die Nati, Die Geschichte der Schweizer Fussball-Nationalmanschaft, author Beat Jung, 2006

El Grafico, Libro De Seleccion-La Historia De Argentina En Los Mundiales-De Uruguay 30 A Corea-Japon 2002

France Football, Issue 1862, December 15, 1981

Guerin Sportivo, Issue 988 (Number 12),March 23-29, 1994

Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989

Histoire de la Coupe Du Monde, 1930-1982, Author Eric Lahmy, Illustrations by Robert Bressy

Historias Sudamericanas en la Copa del Mundo 1930-2006

History of the World Cup, Author Michael Archer

IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)

IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), EnglandAmateurs (1906-1940)

IFFHS, Schweiz,Suisse, Svizzera (1905-1940)

IFFHS-Belgique-Belgie (1904-1940)

IFFHS-Norge (1908-1940), Suomi (1911-1940)-Essti (1920-1940)

IFFHS-Russia (1912-1920), Soviet Union (1923-1940),Polska (1921-1940), Lietuva(1923-1940)

III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta

Il Libro Azzuro, Author Walter Perosino, 1998

Il Libro Azzurro del Calcio Italiano, Authors Pericle Pratelli, Pasquale Scardillo, 1974

Ireland on the Ball, Author Donal Cullen, 1993

L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire

L’Equipe-La Coupe Du Monde, Volume 1, 1930-1970

La Historia de los Mundiales (En Primera Persona) - 2014

La Nazionale Italiana, 1978

La Seleccion Nacional, Part I-Con el orgullo a media cancha (1923-1970), By Carlos Calderon Cardoso

Landslaget, Det Norske Fotballandslagets Historie, authors Egil Olsen, Arne Scheie,Per Jorsett, Otto Ulseth, 1997

L'Auto, Issue 13662, May 17, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13663, May 18, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13664, May 19, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13665, May 20, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13680, June 4, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13681, June 5, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13682, June 6, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13683, June 7, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13684, June 8, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13685, June 9, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13686, June 10, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13687, June 11, 1938

L'Auto, Issue 13688, June 12, 1938

L'Equipe de France de Football, L'Integrale des 497 rencontres (1904-1991), Authors J.M.Cazal, Pierre Cazal, Michel Oreggia, 1992

L'Equipe de Suisse, Authors Guy Balibouse, Roger Felix, Pierre Tripod, 1993

L'Equipe Magazine, April 25, 1998, Issue 837

Les Bleus, Author Denis Chaumier, 2004

Les Bleus, Le livre officiel de l'equipe de France, Author Dominique Grimault, 1997

LIBRO DEL FUTBOL, Fasciculo 15, 1974

L'Integrale de L'Equipe de France de Football, Authors J.M. and Pierre Cazal, Michel Oreggia, 1998

Miroir du Football , Issue 130, April-May 1970

Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 14, 1982, La Glorieuse Epopee De la Coupe Du Monde

Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 28, June 1998

Onze-Mondial, Issue 55, August 1993

Onze-Mondial, Issue 100, May 1997

Österreichs Fußball Länderspiele Chronik 1902 – 1993, Author Anton Egger

Placar Especial 2006 (1-9)

Rode Duivels & Oranje Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman, 2001

Schulze-Marmeling D. - Die Geschichte der Fussball-Weltmeisterschaft

se Lvickem na prsou-Authors O.Bartunek, J

Seleccao Brasileira -90 Anos 1914-2004, Authors Antonio Carlos Napoleao, Roberto Assaf

The Boys in Green, The FAI international Story, Author Sean Ryan, 1997

World Soccer, April 1990

Гольдес И.- История чемпионатов мира 1930-1962+

Le Petit Parisien, 5 June 1938 thru 20 Juen , 1938

Coupe Du Monde 1938-La Coupe du Monde Oubliee, Author Victor Sinet

Paris Soir, 5 June 1938 thru June 21^st, 1938

1938 World Cup Qualifiers:

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers-Group 1 (European Zone)

June 16, 1937- (Stockholm, Sweden 4-Finland 0)

June 20, 1937- (Stockholm, Sweden 7-Estonia 2)

June 29, 1937- (Helsinki, Finland 0-Germany 2)

August 19, 1937- (Turku, Finland 0-Estonia 1)

August 29, 1937- (Konigsberg, Germany 4-Estonia 1)

November 21, 1937- (Hamburg, Germany 5-Sweden 0)

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Germany	3	3	0	0	11	1	10	6
2	Sweden	3	2	0	1	11	7	4	4
3	Estonia	3	1	0	2	4	11	-7	2
4	Finland	3	0	0	3	0	7	-7	0

Date: June 16, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 1

Result: Sweden 4-Finland 0

Venue: Stockholm - Råsunda -Solna Stadion,Fotbollstadion

Attendance: 19,544

Referee:Kolbjørn Daehlen (Norway)

Goalscorers:

(Sweden): Lennart Bunke 60^th, 81^st, Erik Persson 65^th, Kurt Svanström 71^st

(Finland): None

Lineups:

Sweden:

Gustav Sjöberg (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Valter Lundgren (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Olle Källgren (Sandvikens Idrottsförening)

Kurt Svanström (Örgryte Idrottssällskap- Göteborg)

Gunnar Löfgren (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg)

Ernst Andersson (captain) (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg)

Gustaf Josefsson (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Erik Persson (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Olle Zetherlund (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Lennart Bunke (Helsingborgs Idrottsförening)

Axel Nilsson (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Coach: Gustaf Carlsson

Finland:

Paavo Salminen (HT (Helsingin Toverit) Helsinki)

Frans Karjagin (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Ragnar Lindbäck (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Eino Lahti (Haka Valkeakoski)

Kaarlo Oksanen (captain) (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Eino Kilpi (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Lauri Taipale (HT (Helsingin Toverit) Helsinki)

Kurt Weckström (HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Helsinki)-Helsinki)

Aatos Lehtonen (HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Helsinki)-Helsinki)

Sulo Salo (HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Helsinki)-Helsinki)

Yrjö Kylmälä (HT (Helsingin Toverit) Helsinki)

Coach: Ferninand Fabra

Note:

This match was also part of the Nordic Cup.

Ernst Andersson left the field in the 85^th minute after an injury.

Date: June 20, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 1

Result: Sweden 7-Estonia 2

Venue: Stockholm - Råsunda -Solna Stadion, Fotbollstadion

Attendance:18,270

Referee: Dr. Otto Remke (Denmark)

Goalscorers:

(Sweden): Gustaf Josefsson 7th, 41st, 49th pen, Lennart Bunke 40th, Gustav Wetterström 73rd, 77th, 84th

(Estonia): Georg Siimonsen 2nd, Heinrich Uukkivi 3rd

Lineups:

Sweden:

Gustav Sjöberg (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Valter Lundgren (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Olle Källgren (Sandvikens Idrottsförening)

Erik Almgren (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Gunnar Löfgren (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg)

Kurt Svanström (Örgryte Idrottssällskap- Göteborg)

Gustaf Josefsson (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Sven Jonasson (Idrottsföreningen Elfsborg-Boras)

Bertil Ericsson (Sandvikens Idrottsförening)

Lennart Bunke (captain) (Helsingborgs Idrottsförening)

Gustav Wetterström (Idrottsklubb Sleipner)

Coach: Gustaf Carlsson

Estonia:

Evald Tipner (Captain) (FC Sport Tallinn)

Voldemar Peterson (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Valter Neeris (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Karl-Rudolf Silberg-Sillak (Tallinna Jalgpalliklubi)

Egon Parbo (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Helmuth Raastas (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Georg Siimonsen (FC Sport Tallinn)

Heinrich Uukkivi (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Richard Kuremaa (FC Olumpia Tartu)

Julius Kaljo (FC Esta Tallinn)

Leonhard Kass (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Coach: Bernhard Rein

Note: This match was also part of the Nordic Cup.

Photo From: IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)

(June 20, 1937, World Cup Qualifier, Sweden 7-Estonia 2)

Date: June 29, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 1

Result: Finland 0-Germany 2

Venue: Helsinki - Töölön Pallokenttä

Attendance:6,619

Referee: Dr. Otto Remke (Denmark)

Goalscorers:

(Finland): None

(Germany): Ernst Lehner 6th, Adolf Urban 60th

Lineups:

Finland:

Viljo Halme (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Frans Karjagin (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Ragnar Lindbäck (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Eino Lahti (Haka Valkeakoski)

Kaarlo Oksanen (captain) (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Eino Kilpi (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Lauri Taipale (HT (Helsingin Toverit) Helsinki)

Kurt Weckström (HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Helsinki)-Helsinki)

Pentti Larvo (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Ernst Grönlund (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Nuuti Lintamo (VPS (Vaasan Palloseura)- Vaasa)

Coach: Ferninand Fabra

Germany:

Hans Jakob (Sportverein 1889 Regensburg)

Paul Janes (Düsseldorfer Turn-und Sportverein Fortuna 1895 e.V.)

Reinhold Munzenberg (Aachener Turn-und Sport-Verein Alemannia von 1900 e.V.-Aachen)

Andreas Kupfer (1.Fußball-Club Schweinfurt 05 e.V. - Verein für Leibesübungen)

Ludwig Goldbrunner (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)

Albin Kitzinger (1.Fußball-Club Schweinfurt 05 e.V. - Verein für Leibesübungen)

Ernst Lehner (Turn- und Sport-Verein 1847 Schwaben Augsburg e.V.)

Rudolf Gellesch (Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Otto Siffling (Sportverein Waldhof Mannheim)

Fritz Szepan (Captain) (Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Adolf Urban (Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Coach: Josef 'Sepp' Herberger

Date: June 29, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 1

Result: Finland 0-Germany 2

Venue:Helsinki - Töölön Pallokenttä

Attendance: 6,619

Referee: Dr. Otto Remke (Denmark)

Goalscorers:

(Finland): None

(Germany): Ernst Lehner 6^th, Adolf Urban 60^th

Lineups:

Finland:

Viljo Halme (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Frans Karjagin (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Ragnar Lindbäck (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Eino Lahti (Haka Valkeakoski)

Kaarlo Oksanen (captain) (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Eino Kilpi (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Lauri Taipale (HT (Helsingin Toverit) Helsinki)

Kurt Weckström (HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Helsinki)-Helsinki)

Pentti Larvo (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Ernst Grönlund (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Nuuti Lintamo (VPS (Vaasan Palloseura)- Vaasa)

Coach: Ferninand Fabra

Germany:

Hans Jakob (Sportverein 1889 Regensburg)

Paul Janes (Düsseldorfer Turn-und Sportverein Fortuna 1895 e.V.)

Reinhold Munzenberg (Aachener Turn-und Sport-Verein Alemannia von 1900 e.V.-Aachen)

Andreas Kupfer (1.Fußball-Club Schweinfurt 05 e.V. - Verein für Leibesübungen)

Ludwig Goldbrunner (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)

Albin Kitzinger (1.Fußball-Club Schweinfurt 05 e.V. - Verein für Leibesübungen)

Ernst Lehner(Turn- und Sport-Verein 1847 Schwaben Augsburg e.V.)

Rudolf Gellesch(Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Otto Siffling (Sportverein Waldhof Mannheim)

Fritz Szepan (Captain) (Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Adolf Urban(Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Coach: Josef 'Sepp' Herberger

Date: August 19, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 1

Result: Finland 0-Estonia 1

Venue:Turku -Urheilupuisto

Attendance: 4,797

Referee:Ivan Eklind (Sweden)

Goalscorers:

(Finland): None

(Etsonia): Richard Kuremaa 56^th

Lineups:

Finland:

Viljo Halme (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Frans Karjagin (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Ilmari Oksanen (TPS (Turun Palloseura)-Turku)

William Kanerva (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Jarl Malmgren (captain) (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Eino Lahti (Haka Valkeakoski)

Paavo Virtanen (HPS (Helsingen Palloseura)-Helsinki)

Kurt Weckström (HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Helsinki)-Helsinki)

Aatos Lehtonen (HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Helsinki)-Helsinki)

Sulo Salo (HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Helsinki)-Helsinki)

Holger Salin (HIFK (Helsingin Idrottsförening Kamraterna)-Helsinki)

Coach: Technical Commission

Estonia:

Evald Tipner (Captain) (FC Sport Tallinn)

Elmar Tepp (Puhkekodu Tallinn)

Valter Neeris (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Karl-Rudolf Silberg-Sillak (Tallinna Jalgpalliklubi)

Egon Parbo (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Juho Matsalu (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Georg Siimonsen (FC Sport Tallinn)

Julius Kaljo (FC Esta Tallinn)

Richard Kuremaa (FC Olumpia Tartu)

Ralf Veideman (FC Kalev Tallinn)

Heinrich Uukkivi (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Coach: Bernhard Rein

Date: August 29, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 1

Result: Germany 4-Estonia 1

Venue:Königsberg- Horst Wessel Stadion

Attendance: 18,000

Referee:Bruno Pfützner (Czechoslovakia)

Goalscorers:

(Germany): Ernst Lehner 50^th, 65^th, Josef Gauchel 53^rd, 86^th

(Estonia): Georg Siimonsen 32^nd

Lineups:

Germany:

Hans Jakob (Sportverein 1889 Regensburg)

Paul Janes (Düsseldorfer Turn-und Sportverein Fortuna 1895 e.V.)

Reinhold Munzenberg (Aachener Turn-und Sport-Verein Alemannia von 1900 e.V.-Aachen)

Walter Rose (Spielvereinigung Leipzig)

Ludwig Goldbrunner (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)

Erwin Schadler (Ulmer Turn-und Sportgemeinde 1846-Ulm)

Ernst Lehner(Turn- und Sport-Verein 1847 Schwaben Augsburg e.V.)

Josef Gauchel(TuS (Turn- und Spielvereinigung) Neuendorf 1911 e.V.-Koblenz)

Hans Berndt (Berliner Tennis Club Borussia 1902 e.V)

Fritz Szepan (Captain) (Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Wilhelm Simetsreiter(Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)

Coach: Josef 'Sepp' Herberger

Estonia:

Evald Tipner (Captain) (FC Sport Tallinn)

Elmar Tepp (Puhkekodu Tallinn)

Valter Neeris (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Ferdinand Murr (Puhkekodu Tallinn)

Egon Parbo (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Karl-Rudolf Silberg-Sillak (Tallinna Jalgpalliklubi)

Georg Siimonsen (FC Sport Tallinn)

Heinrich Uukkivi (FC Estonia Tallinn)

Richard Kuremaa (FC Olumpia Tartu)

Julius Kaljo (FC Esta Tallinn)

Ralf Veideman (FC Kalev Tallinn)

Coach: Bernhard Rein

Note:

It has been reported that the Match Referee the Sudeten-German (Czechoslovakian), awarded Germany’s goal in the 51^st minute after the corner kick hit the post and rebounded off the field. He also impeded the Estonian goalkeeper three times (with the Germans scoring each time).

Photo From: IFFHS-Norge (1908-1940), Suomi (1911-1940)-Essti (1920-1940)

(Estonia squad upon their arrival at Konigsberg, August 1937)

Date: November 21, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 1

Result: Germany 5-Sweden 0

Venue:Hamburg – Volksparkstadion (Altonaer Stadion)

Attendance: 55,000

Referee:Bruno Pfützner (Czechoslovakia)

Goalscorers:

(Germany): Otto Siffling 2^nd, 57^th, Fritz Szepan 8^th, Helmut Schoen 48^th, 63^rd

(Sweden): None

Lineups:

Germany:

Hans Jakob (Sportverein 1889 Regensburg)

Paul Janes (Düsseldorfer Turn-und Sportverein Fortuna 1895 e.V.)

Reinhold Munzenberg (Aachener Turn-und Sport-Verein Alemannia von 1900 e.V.-Aachen)

Andreas Kupfer (1.Fußball-Club Schweinfurt 05 e.V. - Verein für Leibesübungen)

Ludwig Goldbrunner (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)

Rudolf Gellesch(Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Ernst Lehner(Turn- und Sport-Verein 1847 Schwaben Augsburg e.V.)

Helmut Schoen(Dresdner Sport Club)

Otto Siffling (Sportverein Waldhof Mannheim)

Fritz Szepan (Captain) (Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Adolf Urban(Fußball Club Schalke von 1904 e.V.- Gelsenkirchen)

Coach: Josef 'Sepp' Herberger

Sweden:

Sven Bergquist (Hammarby Idrottsförening- Stockholm)

Ivar Eriksson (Sandvikens Idrottsförening)

Karl Johansson (Idrottsklubb Sleipner)

Lars Flodin (Helsingborgs Idrottsförening)

Sven Nilsson (captain) (Malmö Fotbollforening)

Kar-Erik Grahn (Idrottsföreningen Elfsborg-Boras)

Malte Märtensson (Helsingborgs Idrottsförening)

Lennart Carlsson (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Eskilstuna)

Arne Nyberg (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg)

Gunnar Bergström (Idrottsklubben Brage-Borlange)

Åke Andersson (GAIS (Göteborgs Atlet & Idrottssälskap)- Göteborg)

Coach: Harry Lundahl

Referee: Bruno Pfützner (Czechoslovakia)

Note: Lennart Carlsson eventually changed last name to Askersund.

Photo From: IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)

(November 21, 1937, World Cup Qualifier, Germany 5-Sweden 0)

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers-Group 2a (European Zone)

October 10, 1937- (Oslo, Norway 3-Irish Free State 2)

November 7, 1937- (Dublin, Irish Free State 3-Norway 3)

Note: Norway qualified.

Date: October 10, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 2

Result: Norway 3-Irish Free State 2

Venue: Oslo-Ullevaal Stadion

Attendance:19,000

Referee:Peter J. (Peco) Bauwens (Germany)

Goalscorers:

(Norway): Reidar Kvammen 30^th, 69^th, Alf Martinsen 79^th

(Irish Free State): Mathew Geoghegan 36^th, James Dunne 49^th

Summary of goals:

1:0 (30^thminute, Norway): Reidar Kvammen knocked in a corner kick.

1:1 (36^thminute, Irish Free State): Mathew Geoghegan scored equalizer from a pass by Joseph O'Reilly.

1:2 (49^thminute, Irish Free State): James Dunne scored from a pass from by Billy Jordan.

2:2 (69^thminute, Norway): Reidar Kvammen scored a pass from Arne Brustad.

3:2 (79^thminute, Norway): Alf Martinsen scored winner from a pass by Isksen.

Lineups:

Norway:

Tom Blohm (Hugin Sportsklubben-Oslo)

Rolf Johannessen (Frederikstad Fotballklubb-Ostfold)

Øivind Holmsen (Lyn Ski- og Fotballklubben-Oslo)

Frithjof Ulleberg (Lyn Ski- og Fotballklubben-Oslo)

Nils Eriksen (Captain) (Odds Ballklubbs- Skien tik)

Rolf Holmberg (Odds Ballklubbs- Skien tik)

Odd Frantzen (Hardy Sportsklubben)

Reidar Kvammen (Viking –StavangerIdrettslag)

Alf Martinsen (Lillestrøm Sportsklubb- Skedsmo)

Arne Brustad (Lyn Ski- og Fotballklubben-Oslo)

Magnar Isaksen(Lyn Ski- og Fotballklubben-Oslo)

Coach:Asbjorn Halvorsen

Note:

1-Rolf Holmberg missed a penalty kick during the first half that struck the cross bar.

Irish Free State:

George McKenzie (Southend United Football Club / England)

Joseph Williams (Shamrock Rovers Football Club-Dublin)

Michael Hoy (Dundalk Football Club)

Joseph O'Reilly (Saint James Gate Football Club-Dublin)

Charles Turner (captain) (Southend United Football Club / England)

Owen Kinsella (Shamrock Rovers Football Club-Dublin)

Thomas Donnelly (Drumcondra Football Club-Dublin)

Joseph Donnelly (Dundalk Football Club)

James Dunne (Shamrock Rovers Football Club-Dublin)

William Jordan (Bohemians Football Club-Dublin)

Mathew Geoghegan (Saint James Gate Football Club-Dublin)

Coach: Technical Commission

Photo From: IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), EnglandAmateurs (1906-1940)

(Irish Free State squad, October 10, 1937, World Cup Qualifier, Norway 3-Irish Free State 2)

Photo From: IFFHS-Norge (1908-1940), Suomi (1911-1940)-Essti (1920-1940)

(Norway squad, October 10, 1937, World Cup Qualifier, Norway 3-Irish Free State 2)

Date: November 7, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 2

Result: Irish Free State 3-Norway 3

Venue:Dublin -Dalymount Park

Attendance:27,000

Referee:Thomas Gibbs (England)

Goalscorers:

(Irish Free State): James Dunne 10^th, KevinO'Flanagan 62^nd, Henry Duggan 89^th

(Norway): Reidar Kvammen 26^th, 33^rd, Alf Martinsen 49^th

Summary of goals:

1:0 (30^thminute, Irish Free State): Duggan headed on Foy's cross for Dunne to head the first goal.

1:1 (26^thminute, Norway): An error in defence allowed Holmberg to set up Kvammen who scored with a high shot into the roof of the net.

1:2 (33^rdminute, Norway): Alf Martinsen drew McKenzie out before shooting. O'Neill cleared off the line but the ball fell to Kvammen who scored.

1:3 (49^thminute, Norway): Odd Frantzen sent Alf Martinsen through to score off a post.

2:3 (62^nd minute, Irish Free State): a cross by Foy was back-headed by Dunne for Kevin O'Flanagan to score.

3:3 (89^thminute, Irish Free State): Turner sent Carey through who crossed for Duggan to score.

Lineups:

Irish Free State:

George McKenzie (Southend United Football Club / England)

William O'Neil (Dundalk Football Club)

William Gorman (Bury Football Club / England)

Joseph O'Reilly (Saint James Gate Football Club-Dublin)

Charles Turner (captain) (Southend United Football Club / England)

Thomas Arrigan (Waterford United Football Club)

Kevin PatrickO'Flanagan (Bohemians Football Club-Dublin)

Henry Anthony Duggan (Newport County Football Club / England)

James Dunne (Shamrock Rovers Football Club-Dublin)

John James Carey (Manchester United Football Club / England)

Thomas Foy (Shamrock Rovers Football Club-Dublin)

Coach: Technical Commission

Norway:

Sverre Nordby (Mjøndalen Idrettsforening)

Rolf Johannessen (Frederikstad Fotballklubb-Ostfold)

Øivind Holmsen (Lyn Ski- og Fotballklubben-Oslo)

Kristian Henriksen (Frigg Oslo Fotballklubb)

Nils Eriksen (Captain) (Odds Ballklubbs- Skien tik)

Rolf Holmberg (Odds Ballklubbs- Skien tik)

Kjell Eeg (Djerv Sportsklubben- Bergen)

Odd Frantzen (Hardy Sportsklubben)

Reidar Kvammen (Viking –StavangerIdrettslag)

Alf Martinsen (Lillestrøm Sportsklubb- Skedsmo)

Jørgen Hval (Mjøndalen Idrettsforening)

Coach:Asbjorn Halvorsen

Note:

1-For the first time both sides wore numbered jerseys.

2-In the 5^th minute, Kevin O'Flanagan scored a goal that was ruled out for offside.

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers-Group 3 (European Zone)

October 10, 1937- (Warszawa, Poland 4-Yugoslavia 0)

April 2, 1938- (Belgrade, Yugoslavia 1-Poland 0)

Note: Poland qualified.

Date: October 10, 1937

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 3

Result: Poland 4-Yugoslavia 0

Venue:Warszawa (Warsaw), - Stadion Wojska Polskiego im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego (Polish Army)(Legia Warszawa)

Attendance:12,000

Referee:Lucien Leclercq (France)

Goalscorers:

(Poland): Leonard Piątek 3^rd, 20^th, Jerzy Wostal 57^th, Ernest Wilimowski 78^th

(Yugoslavia): None

Lineups:

Poland:

Adolf Krzyk (Brygada Czestochowa)

Władysław Szczepaniak (Captain) (Klub Sportowy Polonia Warszawa)

Antoni Gałecki (Łódzki Klub Sportowy- Lodz)

Wilhelm Góra (Klub Sportowy Cracovia- Kraków)

Edward Nyc (Klub Sportowy Polonia Warszawa)

Edward Dytko (Górniczy Klub Sportowy Dąb Katowice)

Bolesław Habowski (Towarzystwo Sportowe Wisła Kraków)

Leonard Piątek (AKS (Amatorski Klub Sportowy) Chorzów)

Ernest Wilimowski (Klub Sportowy Ruch Wielkie Hajduki- Chorzów)

Jerzy Wostal (AKS (Amatorski Klub Sportowy) Chorzów)

Gerard Wodarz (Klub Sportowy Ruch Wielkie Hajduki- Chorzów)

FA Captain: Józef Kałuża

Coach: Marian Spoida

Other Substitutes:

Walerian Kisieliński (Klub Sportowy Polonia Warszawa)

Jerzy Kula

Edward Madejski (Towarzystwo Sportowe Wisła Kraków)

Michał Matyas (LKS (Lwowski Klub Sportowy) Pogon Lwów)

Sylwester Nowakowski

Jan Pająk

Yugoslavia:

Franjo Glaser (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Bernard Hügl (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Jozo Matosic (Hajduk Split)

Gustav Lehner (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

Iva Stevovic (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

Mirko Kokotovic (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Ivan Medaric (HASK (Hrvatski Akademiski Sportski Klub)-Zagreb)

Blagoje Marjanovic (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

Svetislav Valjarevic (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

Djordje Vujadinovic (Captain) (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

Branko Plese (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Coach: Svetozar-Kika Popovic

Photo From: Bialo Czerwoni 1921-2001, Author Andrzej Gowarzewski

(Poland squad, October 10, 1937, World Cup Qualifier, Poland 4-Yugoslavia 0)

Date: April 2, 1938

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers- Group 3

Result: Yugoslavia 1-Poland 0

Venue:Belgrad, BSK stadium

Attendance:25,000

Referee:Rinaldo Barlassina (Italy)

Goalscorers:

(Yugoslavia): Blagoje Marjanovic 65^th

(Poland): None

Lineups:

Yugoslavia:

Franjo Glaser (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Bernard Hügl (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Ernest Dubac (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

Gustav Lehner (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

Ivan Jazbinsek (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Bruno Knezevic (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

Vilim Sipos (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Blagoje Marjanovic (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

August Lesnik (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Vojin Bozovic (Beogradski Sport Klub- Beograd)

Mirko Kokotovic (Gradjanski Zagreb)

Coach: Svetozar-Kika Popovic

Poland:

Edward Madejski (no club)

Władysław Szczepaniak (captain) (Klub Sportowy Polonia Warszawa)

Antoni Gałecki (Łódzki Klub Sportowy- Lodz)

Wilhelm Góra (Klub Sportowy Cracovia- Kraków)

Edward Nyc (Klub Sportowy Polonia Warszawa)

Edward Dytko (Górniczy Klub Sportowy Dąb Katowice)

Ryszard Piec (Naprzód Lipiny)

Leonard Piątek (AKS (Amatorski Klub Sportowy) Chorzów)

Jerzy Wostal (AKS (Amatorski Klub Sportowy) Chorzów)

Ernest Wilimowski (Klub Sportowy Ruch Wielkie Hajduki- Chorzów)

Gerard Wodarz (Klub Sportowy Ruch Wielkie Hajduki- Chorzów)

FA Captain: Józef Kałuża

Coach: Marian Spoida

Other Substitutes:

Erwin Michalski (Towarzystwo Sportowe Wisła Kraków)

Sylwester Nowakowski

Władysław Pawłowski (Klub Sportowy Cracovia- Kraków)

Fryderyk Scherfke (Klub SportowyWarta Poznan)

Photo From: Bialo Czerwoni 1921-2001, Author Andrzej Gowarzewski

(Poland squad, April 3, 1938, World Cup Qualifier, Yugoslavia 1-Poland 0)

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers-Group 4 (European Zone)

Romania qualified on a walkover as Egypt withdrew

Note: Romania and Egypt were due to play in December 1937 (or February 1938 in some sources), but Egypt refused to play during the month of Ramadan.

Wordl Cup Qualifiers

Pre-World Cup:

II. Germany

III. Italy

IV. Brazil

Germany 1-Switzerland 1

Brazil 6-Poland 5

Cuba 3-Romania 3

Czechoslovakia 3-Holland 0

France 3-Belgium 1

Hungary 6-Dutch East Indies 0

Italy 2-Norway 1

Austria -Sweden

Cuba 2-Romania 1

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta (Cuba squad, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Cuba 2-Romania 1)Note: unclear whether this is from the first match or replay, but in most sources it is the replay squad

Germany 2-Switzerland 4

Brazil 1-Czechoslovakia 1

France 1-Italy 3

Hungary 2-Switzerland 0

Sweden 8-Cuba 0

Brazil 2-Czechoslovakia 1

Karl Rappan and Nazi Authorities, 1940s

Photo From: III Fussballweltmeisterschaft 1938 Frankreich, Author Robert Franta
(Cuba squad, June 9, 1938, World Cup, Cuba 2-Romania 1)
Note: unclear whether this is from the first match or replay, but in most sources it is the replay squad